Chapter 67

The group rides Noeve’s cart along the Path of Daes through snow and uncanny stillness. The narrator checks on the others: Pyrok sleeps and drinks, Ahvi rests with his hatchling, and Raeve keeps watch, quietly mouthing familiar words while twirling a dragonscale blade.

When Pyrok mutters apologies in his sleep, Raeve seizes and throws away his flask, then digs out and discards the others despite knowing he will resent it. Noeve remarks on Raeve, calling her interesting and noting her name, then quietly suggests Raeve resembles someone she escorted decades ago, with long white hair like a late grandmother. The narrator deflects, calling it coincidence.

The narrator asks Noeve about Dothea, but Noeve says their clandestine communication from the queen’s city has failed. She then brightens, boasting of new raffi cushions purchased at Veya’s suggestion. The narrator’s concern spikes at mention of his sister.

Noeve reports seeing Veya about thirty cycles prior, saying Veya went to see the velvet trogg and returned pleased, wearing a new silver bangle set with jewels and carrying a disturbing aura. The narrator realizes Veya had lied about discarding it and grows alarmed, catching a lark that is not from Veya.

As the cart warms from the narrator’s flare of anger, Noeve warns about the heat. The narrator reins in the surge—accidentally opened to Rygun’s flame—and calms their bond so Rygun will not abandon his post. Rygun remains on guard over the burrow where Líri and Maell are hutched, while the party continues quietly toward Gore amid the narrator’s mounting worry for Veya.