Moonfall, #2
The Ballad of Falling Dragons
by Sarah A. Parker
Contents
Chapter 32
Overview
At the Pits of Khindard, Arkyn entertains Tri-Councilor Einar amid brutal razah fights and rising public dread over imminent moonfalls. Arkyn claims Ostern Vaegor’s bastard heirship and seeks Citadel backing but is dismissed in favor of twins Tyroth and Cadok’s designs on The Burn and its bloodstone. To win support, Arkyn offers refuge to those who kneel and proposes publicly capturing Kaan Vaegor, promising the Tri-Council all northern bloodstone. Einar signals potential backing if Arkyn achieves the impossible.
Summary
In the Pits of Khindard, razah drag bodies into molten vents while crowds revel. The Scavenger King, Arkyn, hosts Tri-Councilor Einar, who derides null servers and the waning spectacle since Arkyn lost his famed “Fire Lark.” Arkyn tolerates the slight, guarding his temper to preserve this political relationship.
A message warns of imminent moonfalls; Arkyn reveals he has known for cycles via his miskunn. Einar also announces Kaan Vaegor is outlawed for the Bothaim attack. Arkyn claims he is Ostern Vaegor’s firstborn—bastard of a null—and seeks Citadel backing after the falls. Einar mocks the claim, citing the Tri-Council’s preference for the tri-beaded twins, Tyroth and Cadok, and treaties to split The Burn’s bloodstone after deposing Kaan.
Arkyn counters by offering refuge to all who kneel to him and promising nonstop battles to distract the masses until the falls. He asks for Bothaim’s future support; Einar refuses, arguing Arkyn is outmatched and unrecognized by his supposed father. The razah erupt into the arena as the conversation hardens.
Pivoting, Arkyn proposes the impossible: capture Kaan Vaegor alive and stage his death in the pit. He renounces any claim to the north’s untapped bloodstone, offering it entirely to the Tri-Council. Tempted by limitless bloodstone, Einar concedes that if Arkyn succeeds, he could earn Citadel favor and be deemed worthy of the bronze crown.
Who Appears
- Arkyn (Scavenger King)Pit master and schemer; claims Vaegor bastard heirship, offers refuge for fealty, vows to capture Kaan to win Citadel backing.
- EinarTri-Councilor guest; scorns nulls, reveals Kaan’s outlawing, favors twins Tyroth/Cadok and bloodstone treaties, tempted by Arkyn’s offer.
- RazahVolcanic beasts of the pits; their staged carnage entertains crowds and underscores Arkyn’s brutal power.
- Null serverServant assaulted by Einar, highlighting class contempt and the pit’s dehumanizing environment.