Chapter 39: Chapter 35 – The Battle Over Veilmar
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Florence emerges onto the Avari tower’s parapet, where Nyxaris waits. Neville the fluffin insists on joining, climbing onto the dragon’s back. She has Lunaya’s crossbow with godsbane bolts. As Nyxaris flies toward Veilmar, they witness the red dragon Vorago (Blake) burning the city and feeding on people. Florence tries to shoot, missing the first two bolts. She lands a third under Vorago’s right wing. The Inferni sees them and attacks. Nyxaris dives and uses evasive maneuvers. Florence fires multiple godsbane bolts; two hit, but Vorago does not slow enough because the poison ratio may be wrong for Inferni physiology. Nyxaris uses his own flame, and Florence switches to emberfern bolts. After another miss and a dropped bolt, she finally strikes near Vorago’s left eye ridge. Then Neville sings a healing lullaby that bewilders Vorago, causing the dragon to retreat toward the sea. The relief is short-lived as a second Inferni, Viktor, descends from the clouds, and they have few bolts left.
Key Events
- Florence races onto the Avari tower’s parapet to meet Nyxaris for the flight to Veilmar.
- Neville stubbornly boards the dragon, settling into a hollow on Nyxaris’s back.
- Nyxaris warns Florence about the horrors of dragon fire and the need to not let fear chain her.
- They see Vorago burning the city, destroying houses, and eating people.
- Florence fires three godsbane bolts, hitting the third under Vorago’s wing.
- Vorago turns to fight; Nyxaris dives and uses flame.
- Florence fires more bolts, landing two hits, but Vorago remains strong.
- Nyxaris uses his own flame; Florence fires an emberfern bolt into the wound.
- Neville sings a lullaby that makes Vorago retreat toward the sea.
- A second Inferni, Viktor, appears from the clouds above the Black Keep.
Character Development
- Florence: Initially terrified and doubting her aim, she grows more resolute. She learns to breathe in rhythm with Nyxaris and eventually lands crucial shots. Her plea to Blake—asking the person inside the Inferni to return—shows her emotional connection and hope.
- Neville: Reveals unexpected power. His healing song, described as “healing magic,” affects Vorago where poison and fire could not. His courage and loyalty are highlighted; he staked a claim on both Blake and Nyxaris.
- Nyxaris: Remains tactical and supportive, guiding Florence’s aim, using his flame, and making split-second decisions to lure Vorago away from the city. His concern for Florence is evident in his warnings.
- Vorago/Blake: The Inferni is shown as a mindless destroyer, but Neville’s song provokes “bewilderment and pain,” hinting that Blake may still exist inside.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Fire and destruction: The vivid descriptions of Veilmar burning—houses turned to “smoking husks,” people fleeing—underscore the devastating cost of the conflict.
- Courage against terror: Nyxaris’s line “Terror is a chain. Do not let it wind itself around you” is a central motif. Florence must overcome fear to fight.
- Healing versus violence: The godsbane and emberfern bolts fail to stop Vorago, but Neville’s gentle song succeeds, suggesting that mercy or connection may be more powerful than brute force.
- The dragon as a symbol of control and loss: Vorago is both Blake and a monster; the theme of losing oneself to power is implicit in the fight to save him.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a major action set piece that shifts the trajectory of the Veilmar siege. Florence proves her worth as a rider and marksman, Neville emerges as a key magical asset, and the appearance of a second Inferni raises the stakes dramatically. The failed godsbane plan forces a change in tactics, and the brief respite created by Neville’s song gives hope that Blake might be reachable by non-lethal means.
Study Questions
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Why does the godsbane poison fail to slow Vorago as it did the Duskdrake?
Answer: Nyxaris explains that Inferni and Duskdrakes have different physiologies. It is also possible the mixture sat too long or Rodriguez prepared the wrong ratio for an Inferni, as Florence speculates. -
How does Neville’s song affect Vorago, and what does this imply about the fluffin’s abilities?
Answer: The song, described as a healing lullaby, causes Vorago to falter and retreat, showing bewilderment and pain instead of hatred. Nyxaris recognizes it as healing magic, implying that fluffins may possess rare restorative powers that can reach the person trapped inside the beast. -
What is the significance of the second Inferni’s appearance at the end of the chapter?
Answer: The arrival of Viktor, a second red dragon, means the danger is far from over. Florence is nearly out of bolts, and the city is still under threat. It sets up an even more perilous confrontation in the next chapter.