Chapter 65 Summary: You Do Not Want Men to Catch You — Matilda
⚠️ 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
Matilda clings to the eithral as it descends toward Grimald’s camp. She had spotted Vincent and Bade on a bridge moments before ballistas fired from the towers. The wyvern-like creature is struck by an obsidian bolt that pierces one of its lungs. They crash-land in a vale; Matilda is thrown clear but quickly recovers. She pulls the bolt from the eithral’s chest and commands it to fly to safety. With the creature aloft, Matilda runs toward a distant forest, outdistancing Grimald’s warriors. Deep in the woods she stops to catch her breath, still carrying an unsent letter for Vincent. There she encounters Alva, who has been watching. Alva offers to conceal Matilda from the pursuing men in exchange for her company, threatening to tell Dacre about the eithral. Alva opens a hidden door in a tree, and Matilda—aware she cannot avoid this confrontation forever—follows her into the under realm.
Key Events
- Matilda rides the eithral over Grimald’s camp; she sees Vincent and Bade on a bridge.
- Ballistas on the towers fire at the flying pair; the eithral is hit in the lung.
- They crash-land; Matilda is thrown but unharmed except for a bitten lip.
- Matilda removes the bolt from the eithral and forces it to fly away.
- She runs alone through the meadow, escaping the enemy soldiers.
- In the forest, Alva appears and reveals she has been watching.
- Alva threatens to tell Dacre about the eithral unless Matilda comes with her now.
- Alva opens a tree-door to the under realm; Matilda hesitates but follows.
Character Development
Matilda demonstrates fierce protectiveness and self-sacrifice. Despite her own exhaustion and the pain of the crash, she prioritizes the eithral’s survival over her own, pulling the bolt free and ordering it to flee. Her physical endurance is tested as she runs a long distance, and her determination remains unbroken even when cornered by Alva. The chapter also shows Matilda’s vulnerability: she is shaken, bleeding, and carrying a letter for Vincent that reminds her of her emotional ties.
Alva is portrayed as shrewd and opportunistic. She uses Matilda’s precarious situation to force a meeting, dangling the threat of Dacre’s displeasure as leverage. Her ability to open a hidden door confirms her connection to the under realm and her knowledge of hidden pathways.
Vincent and Bade appear only as a distant sighting on the bridge, confirming they are alive and together in the enemy camp. Their brief presence underscores Matilda’s emotional stake in the mission.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Flight and falling: The eithral’s crash mirrors Matilda’s loss of control; her descent from aerial freedom to hunted fugitive emphasizes the chaos of war.
- Sacrifice for another creature: Matilda endangers herself to save the eithral, underlining the bond between humans and the magical beings of the world.
- Hidden thresholds: The tree-door represents secret knowledge and the blurred boundary between the mortal and under realms. Alva’s ability to open it shows that the conflict is not merely between armies but also between unseen powers.
- Pursuit and escape: The chase by Grimald’s men creates tension; Matilda’s flight into the forest symbolizes a retreat into the unknown, where new alliances and threats await.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 65 is a turning point. Matilda’s solo flight ends in disaster, forcing her to rely on her own wits and physical strength. The loss of the eithral separates her from her primary mode of transportation and combat advantage. Her encounter with Alva pulls her into the under realm, a setting that has been hinted at but not yet explored in depth. This shift expands the novel’s geographical and political landscape, introducing a new faction—Alva and Dacre—whose motives are still unclear. The chapter also deepens Matilda’s character by showing her compassion for the eithral and her fear of what Dacre might do if he learns of her actions.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Matilda risk her safety to save the eithral after the crash?
Matilda believes the eithral will survive if it can reach a haven, and she knows the enemy warriors would kill it for its scales. Her bond with the creature, developed over the course of their flight, compels her to act selflessly despite the approaching danger. -
What does Alva’s offer reveal about her character and her relationship with Dacre?
Alva uses Dacre’s implied authority as a threat, suggesting she is either subordinate to him or knows that riding the eithral is forbidden. Her willingness to help Matilda in exchange for a private conversation indicates she has her own agenda, separate from Dacre’s, and that she is manipulative. -
How does the chapter establish the under realm as a new frontier in the story?
Alva opens a door hidden in a tree, a threshold Matilda had never seen before. The phrase “under realm” is used for the first time, and Matilda’s decision to follow signals that the narrative will now explore this subterranean world, introducing new conflicts and alliances.