Moonfall, #2
The Ballad of Falling Dragons
by Sarah A. Parker
Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
Unable to sleep, Raeve slips out into the snowy village and senses danger. Moonplume Líri targets Raeve with blue flame, destroying a bridge, until Rygun intervenes and forces Líri back to the burrows. The attack implies Líri now considers Raeve a threat, raising new peril and questions about broken trust.
Summary
Raeve lies awake beside Kaan, her thoughts circling Elluin’s coerced choice to bind with another male and the pain it caused Kaan. She resolves to be worthy of Kaan’s patience and love, then senses an unnamed disturbance outside and quietly leaves while Kaan sleeps.
In the silent, snow-laden village, Raeve follows the pull to a river bridge for a clearer view of the stormy sky. She spots Moonplume Líri burst from the clouds, pursued by Moltenmaw riders. Líri’s empty, spur-scarred saddle confirms no rider is mounted, and her focused gaze locks onto Raeve.
Without warning, Líri charges and unleashes blue flame at Raeve, obliterating the bridge. As Raeve dives for cover, Rygun launches from his mountain ledge, scatters the Moltenmaws, and intercepts Líri. He repeatedly cuts her off as she makes second and third attempts to strike Raeve, enduring her snarls and a brief gout of flame that almost reaches him.
Rygun finally forces Líri toward the burrows, while the village wakes to the chaos and the shattered bridge. Shaken, Raeve recognizes that, despite their prior bond in Dhomm, Líri now seeks to kill her—signaling a serious, unexplained rupture and a new threat within supposed allies.
Who Appears
- RaeveNarrator; slips out at night, narrowly survives Líri’s attack, and realizes she’s lost the Moonplume’s trust.
- LíriMoonplume who fixates on Raeve and repeatedly attacks with blue flame, destroying a bridge before being driven off.
- RygunDragon who launches from his ledge, scatters Moltenmaws, intercepts Líri, and forces her back to the burrows.
- KaanAsleeps beside Raeve; his steadiness comforts her as she grapples with Elluin’s past and her resolve to try.
- Moltenmaw ridersPursue Líri into the gully but break off when Rygun asserts control of the sky.
- Village folk and guardsOpen the gate for Raeve; later awaken and witness the aerial clash and ruined bridge.