Contents
30 Meryn
Overview
Meryn’s escort enters Astreona, where a verdant landscape is revealed as a Siphon illusion used to mislead Nocturnan spies. Cratos maims the illusionist Hanlen, nearly shattering the truce until Elias reins in his party. The group regroups at an outpost; Meryn insists on accompanying Elias and Davide into town without the wolves, sharing a saddle with Stark as tensions simmer.
Summary
Meryn’s party rides into Astreona under tense silence. The wasteland slowly transforms into lush fields and sunlit valleys, disorienting the Nocturnans. Venna perceives only barrenness, tipping Meryn that Siphon magic is at work. Attendants Davide and Hanlen admit they have long used illusions to mislead Nocturnan spies.
Hanlen intensifies the display, provoking panic among the wolves. Cratos and Stark strike first; Hanlen is unhorsed and loses an arm, which Cratos devours. Weapons flash on both sides until Elias remounts and orders his Siphons to stand down. Fredrich urges peace and tends to Hanlen as the truce narrowly holds.
The parties rest apart, tempers simmering while Hanlen’s wound is bound. Elias leads them to a nearby military outpost to avoid alarming townsfolk with direwolves. Meryn watches the Siphons’ movements and challenges Elias when he prepares a supply run.
To preserve trust, Meryn insists on accompanying Elias and Davide into town. Accepting that wolves can’t come, she leaves Saela with Venna, Noemi, and Fredrich. With too few fresh mounts, Meryn shares a saddle with Stark. The ride into town begins under strict restraint and unresolved desire, their uneasy alliance intact but fragile.
Who Appears
- MerynQueen of Nocturna; detects Siphon illusion, threatens retaliation, insists on accompanying Elias into town without wolves.
- EliasSiphon escort leader; halts escalation after Hanlen is maimed, organizes outpost stop and supply trip.
- AnassaMeryn’s direwolf; senses danger, guards Saela, counsels restraint about entering town.
- StarkProtector and lover-in-tension; attacks with Cratos, then rides with Meryn to town.
- DavideSiphon attendant; mocks Nocturnans while showcasing illusion ruse, joins supply run to town.
- HanlenSiphon illusionist; exposes the verdant facade, loses an arm to Cratos during the clash.
- CratosDirewolf; maims Hanlen and eats the severed arm, heightening tensions.
- SaelaMeryn’s sister; rides with Meryn, left at the outpost under wolf protection.
- VennaNocturnan ally; initially fooled by illusions, then guards Meryn and snaps at Hanlen.
- FredrichMeryn’s father; calls for peace and tends Hanlen’s wound, helping maintain the truce.
- NoemiPhylax defector; raises a shield to block a charging Siphon during the skirmish.
- SkaiaVenna’s direwolf; defends Meryn’s group during the illusion-induced confusion.