When the Moon Hatched
by Sarah A. Parker
Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
In Gore’s cells, a disguised Vaegor king comes to bargain with Wrook over a moonshard, but the encounter turns when he hears Raeve and recognizes her as someone tied to his past. Dragonflame reveals old, mended scars on Raeve, and his shock suggests a major hidden connection that could alter both their paths.
Before he can learn more, guards seize Raeve for trial before the Guild of Nobles, confirming how dangerous Gore considers her. The chapter raises the stakes by linking Raeve to a powerful king while sending her toward an immediate judgment that could end her life.
Summary
Raeve passes time in her cell by humming and tracking dripping water while Wrook secretly keeps scratching at a corner of his own cell. Their routine breaks when a hooded male dressed as a Runi healer arrives and speaks to Wrook about a stolen ring and a moonshard. The stranger offers to buy Wrook’s sentence and trade a valuable Sabersythe tusk for the shard, and Wrook quickly agrees.
As the male leaves Wrook’s cell, he catches Raeve’s scent and voice and stops. Raeve tries to hide in the shadows, but the male insists on seeing her face, then tears the lock off her cell and enters. He says her voice reminds him of someone he once knew and, when he finally sees her clearly, he whispers “Vaghth,” reacting as if he recognizes her.
The male conjures flame, and Raeve’s terror at it reveals deep trauma. A Truthtune prisoner confirms Raeve is genuinely confused and frightened. Using Sabersythe flame from a weald, the male reveals the old runic scar on Raeve’s forehead and realizes her head has been magically mended. He questions her about her injuries and about who hurt her, but Raeve refuses his concern and rejects his attempt to draw out the truth.
The confrontation shifts when another disguised Runi rushes in and addresses the stranger as “Sire.” Raeve realizes the male is one of the Vaegor kings, which immediately turns her distrust into open fury. Before he can press her further, Gore guards arrive at her cell, and the king claims he is a resident healer inspecting her wounds.
The guards override him, explaining Raeve must be taken straight to trial before the Guild of Nobles and reminding him she is considered extremely dangerous because she is pinned and speaks with Clode and Bulder. They recount the soldiers she killed in the Undercity and chain her for transport. Raeve taunts the king, but he answers that he no longer needs to hunt moonshards because he has found the most important piece. Raeve is marched away toward trial, accepting that no good outcome awaits her and deciding she may as well enjoy causing trouble before she dies.
Who Appears
- Raeveimprisoned protagonist; hides in her cell, is recognized by a disguised king, and is taken to trial
- Unnamed Vaegor kingdisguised as a Runi; bargains with Wrook, recognizes Raeve, and becomes fixated on her injuries and identity
- Wrookfellow prisoner; trades a moonshard for a Sabersythe tusk and a promised release
- Unnamed Truthtune prisonerdark-haired captive who confirms Raeve is telling the truth and is terrified of flame
- Gore guardsescort Raeve from her cell, describe her deadly actions, and take her to trial
- Unnamed Runi attendantalerts the disguised king that guards are approaching and addresses him as sire