Chapter 34

Florence watches Veilmar burn and pleads with Nyxaris to intervene. The dragon recalls centuries of slaughter, the loss of his rider, and his self-imposed petrification to atone, resisting because he fears losing Florence. She appeals to his past care, and Nyxaris agrees to fly—for her.

Nyxaris reveals the attacking dragon is Vorago, a brutal Inferni once imprisoned in stone, not Blake. Medra believes Blake awakened Vorago while resisting his own transformation. Nyxaris warns a second dragon may soon rise, and that Vorago will not stop with Veilmar.

Florence seeks a plan and weapons. With Visha, Lysander, Rodriguez, Sankara, and Healer Elycia, she prepares: a crossbow, Avari scout bolts, and coatings. Rodriguez supplies Godsbane to pierce scales and slow Vorago. Florence proposes an emberfern–mirthleaf mixture, recalling lore of bolstering Inferni riders, hoping it might reach what remains of Blake.

They learn Viktor fed Professor Allenvale to an infected guard; when Blake became the dragon, he burned them—seen as mercy by Orphos. Lysander reveals House Orphos’s nascent rebellion for systemic change. This confirms for Florence that some part of Blake may persist, though Medra warns Vorago currently dominates.

Rodriguez outlines the tactic: first use Godsbane-tipped bolts to weaken Vorago; then Nyxaris must open a wound with dragonfire so Florence can fire emberfern bolts into it quickly. Visha outfits Florence in light armor; Lysander gifts Lunaya’s crossbow; Evie provides bolts; Elycia helps coat them. Medra remains to defend the school from Bloodguard, urging Florence to do whatever it takes to bring Blake back. Florence ascends to meet Nyxaris on the parapet to try to save the city.