Chapter Fifty-One
Contains spoilers
Summary
- The protagonist climbs a crowded staircase to the fifth floor and avoids sharing bad news with friends Rhi and Tara.
- Ascending a dark service stairway with mage lights, the protagonist reaches the roof to meet Xaden who is sitting on a turret.
- Despite Xaden's reproach for risk-taking, they exchange comfort over chocolate cake, discussing the day’s troubles.
- Xaden feels overwhelmed by the enemy and the challenges of their defensive efforts, noting they’re spread too thin.
- The protagonist offers support, acknowledging their shared struggles, as they contemplate the heavy losses and tactical disadvantages of the war.
- Xaden reveals he almost died in a recent battle that also saw heavy civilian casualties, making the situation feel personal and dire.
- Despite the grim reality, there is an intimate connection between the protagonists, signified by a shared kiss.
- Time passes, with the protagonist and another character, Dain, working late into the night attempting to translate an important journal.
- They struggle with unlocking the secrets of the journal that could potentially help them in the war.
- The protagonist has an epiphany, realizing "blood" should be translated to "breath," which reveals the true nature of the ward-raising process.
- The protagonist realizes the significance of dragons rather than riders in the ward-raising and seeks out Rhiannon to share this critical discovery.
- Upon reaching Rhiannon, the protagonist hesitates to disclose the revelation, considering the ethical implications of their actions.