Throne of Glass, #6
Tower of Dawn
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Overview
Nesryn and Sartaq survive a stormy, uncomfortable journey and arrive at the Eridun rukhin aerie, where Nesryn sees the strength and scale of Sartaq’s people firsthand. The warmth of Borte’s welcome, especially her declaration that Nesryn has come home, begins shifting Nesryn’s uncertainty into a sense of belonging.
The mission is delayed because Houlun, the hearth-mother they came to consult, is away, but Nesryn gains new information and new concerns when she meets the secretive northern merchant Falkan Ennar. Sartaq’s easy place among the rukhin and his admission that he hoped Nesryn would come deepen their developing connection.
Summary
Storms trap Nesryn Faliq and Sartaq on a rocky outcropping in the northern Asimil Mountains. As Kadara shields them from the worst of the weather, Nesryn endures the freezing rain and reflects on magic, Aelin Galathynius’s disappearance, and her own determination to fight Morath even without magical power.
After the storm passes, Nesryn and Sartaq continue south but must make another cold, fireless camp. Nesryn begins to question whether she was too hasty in leaving Antica with a man she barely knows. During the final flight, Sartaq explains the Darghan origins of the rukhin, his own experience enforcing the khaganate’s rule, and the customs of the Eridun clan. Nesryn speaks of being overlooked in Adarlan because she is a woman and an outsider, but she cuts off deeper discussion of the prejudice she endured.
Nesryn and Sartaq reach the Eridun aerie, a vast mountain settlement carved into the Tavan Mountains. Sartaq brings Nesryn into the Mountain-Hall of Altun, where his hearth-sister Borte greets him with teasing insults and quickly tests Nesryn. Nesryn answers Borte’s sharp humor in kind, earning approval, though the introduction as a Balruhni captain of Adarlan draws surprise and speculation about whether Nesryn is an emissary or a bride.
Inside the hall, Nesryn notices Falkan Ennar, a merchant from the northern continent who has been staying with Sartaq’s hearth-mother. Falkan questions Nesryn about Adarlan, and Nesryn carefully reveals only that Chaol Westfall is now Hand to King Dorian Havilliard. Falkan’s surprise at Dorian’s kingship and Borte’s claim that he does not behave like a normal merchant make Nesryn wary of his unknown purpose.
Borte takes Nesryn to a room and then to the baths, offers her practical clothing and proper boots, and bluntly but warmly accepts her. When Borte learns Nesryn was born and raised in Rifthold but has family roots in Antica, Borte tells her, "Then welcome home." Later, after bathing and eating, Nesryn learns that Sartaq’s hearth-mother Houlun is absent but expected back within a day or two, delaying their mission. Sartaq proposes a tour and archery practice, then reveals he had sent word ahead because he was hoping Nesryn would join him.
Who Appears
- Nesryn FaliqAdarlan royal guard captain; reaches the Eridun aerie and begins finding wary belonging there.
- SartaqKhagan’s son and rukhin captain; guides Nesryn home and reveals his hope she would come.
- BorteSartaq’s sharp-tongued hearth-sister; tests Nesryn, provides care, and welcomes her home.
- Falkan EnnarSecretive northern merchant staying with Houlun; questions Nesryn and seems suspiciously uninformed.
- KadaraSartaq’s golden ruk; shields Nesryn and Sartaq from the storm and carries them to Altun.
- HoulunAbsent hearth-mother of Sartaq’s clan; her return is needed for Nesryn’s mission.