Moonfall, #2
The Ballad of Falling Dragons
by Sarah A. Parker
Contents
Chapter 46
Overview
Raeve receives Sereme’s coercive order to locate a silver-eyed fae in Bhoggith, enforced by a blood-bind the Elding Squire activates to torture her into compliance. Líri kills the squire, severing that immediate threat. Siharna urges Raeve to confess the bind to Kaan, prompting Raeve to plan one final mission, confront the Elding, and pursue Bulder’s power to free herself.
Summary
Raeve meets an Elding Squire who delivers Sereme’s note and a map to Bhoggith, ordering Raeve to find a silver-haired, silver-eyed fae hidden behind sun-carved yellow doors in The Fade’s western outpost. Recognizing Sereme’s manipulation, Raeve demands proof that the target threatens The Flourish.
When Raeve resists, the squire uses a glittering quill and a vial tied to Sereme’s blood-bind, unleashing crippling pain to force obedience. He warns that failure will doom The Flourish and commands delivery of the “package” to Sereme within seven rises, then departs.
Líri dives from above and kills the squire mid-bridge, tearing him in two. Siharna arrives with her newborn, witnesses the aftermath, and asks if her village is at risk. Raeve swears it is not, then endures Siharna’s pointed question: does Kaan know about the blood-bind?
Siharna urges Raeve to tell Kaan, sharing that Zior’s secrecy cost her any chance at closure or vengeance. Shaken, Raeve wants to protect Kaan from more burdens but accepts he deserves her full truth.
Raeve resolves to complete this last task, then sever Sereme’s hold and confront the Elding about coercion that could endanger The Flourish and Raeve’s allies. Realizing she needs greater strength, she plans to pursue Bulder’s language—perhaps by reclaiming memories Kaan said Elluin learned—to become formidable by her own choice.
Who Appears
- RaeveProtagonist; coerced by Sereme’s blood-bind to hunt a silver-eyed fae in Bhoggith; witnesses Líri kill the squire; resolves to finish one job, confess to Kaan, and seek Bulder’s strength.
- LíriRaeve’s bonded dragon; senses threat and kills the Elding Squire mid-bridge, removing the immediate enforcer of the blood-bind.
- Elding SquireMessenger-enforcer for the Elding; triggers Raeve’s blood-bind to compel the mission; killed by Líri.
- SiharnaVillage leader and new mother; witnesses aftermath; urges Raeve to tell Kaan about the bind, recalling Zior’s fatal secrecy.
- SeremeAntagonistic superior; sends manipulative orders and wields Raeve’s blood-bind, threatening The Flourish to ensure compliance.