Chapter no 13 – 14

Chapter no 13

Tamlin’s casual display of power as he lights hundreds of candles with a wave of his hand underscores his immense strength, despite the blight affecting Prythian. The protagonist, still uneasy in his presence, ventures into the opulent study, lined with countless books and decorated with rich furnishings. Driven by her longing to warn her family about the dangers in Prythian, she resolves to write them a letter, even though her limited literacy makes the task a daunting challenge. The weight of her past—her neglected education and her family’s disdain for her learning—haunts her as she struggles to form even the simplest words.

Determined to improve, she spends hours painstakingly copying words and trying to teach herself to read. Her exploration of the study leads her to a massive mural depicting Prythian’s history and geography. The mural tells the story of the world’s creation through a faerie cauldron and highlights the division of territories between the Fae and humans after a bloody war. The protagonist is struck by the stark difference between the grandeur of the Fae lands and the insignificance of the human realm, reinforcing her sense of vulnerability and powerlessness in this world.

Tamlin interrupts her efforts, offering to help her write the letter. Though his offer appears genuine, the protagonist declines out of pride and fear of exposing her weaknesses to him. Their interaction grows tense as she challenges Tamlin’s motives and accuses him of being untrustworthy. His reaction, a mixture of anger and restraint, reflects the complicated dynamic between them—a relationship fraught with mistrust, vulnerability, and unspoken emotions. After leaving the study, the protagonist wrestles with her decision, wondering if she should have accepted his help.

Later, the protagonist seeks out Lucien for information about the mysterious blight and its effects. Their exchange is laced with wit and subtle tension, as Lucien warns her of the danger she might be inviting by seeking answers. Despite this, he provides her with instructions on how to trap a Suriel, a creature known for divulging secrets. While Lucien pretends indifference, his subtle assistance suggests a growing, albeit reluctant, sense of camaraderie between them.

Armed with Lucien’s cryptic guidance and her determination, the protagonist prepares to face the dangers of the western woods in pursuit of knowledge. Her desire to learn more about the blight, the Treaty, and her own precarious position fuels her resolve, despite the risks. As she plans her next steps, her interactions with both Tamlin and Lucien highlight her complex journey—one of defiance, survival, and the search for answers in a world that constantly challenges her resilience.

Chapter no 14

The protagonist ventures into the western woods, following Lucien’s instructions to trap a Suriel, an ancient creature that offers knowledge to those who capture it. Armed with a bow, a knife, and a freshly killed chicken, she navigates the ancient, eerie forest, which feels alive with a watchful presence. Despite her growing unease, she carefully sets up her trap near a grove of birch trees close to a running stream, ensuring she knows every escape route in case things go wrong. Though her resolve is strong, she can’t shake the feeling that this endeavor might be a grave mistake.

As she waits, the oppressive silence of the woods signals the arrival of something unnatural. When her snare snaps and holds, she descends from her hiding place to confront the Suriel. The creature is horrifying, with a skeletal, veined form and empty, deathly eyes, but it speaks with a voice that is both ancient and commanding. Despite its unsettling appearance, the Suriel confirms its identity and offers to answer her questions. The protagonist boldly presses for answers about her situation, Tamlin, and the blight plaguing Prythian.

The Suriel reveals shocking truths: Tamlin is not just a faerie lord but the High Lord of the Spring Court, one of the most powerful beings in Prythian. It urges her to stay close to him for protection, warning that the blight and its origins are far too dangerous for her to interfere with. The Suriel also speaks of a distant kingdom, Hybern, ruled by a ruthless king who resents the Treaty with humans and has been plotting to reclaim his power. His spies, including a traitorous commander, have sown chaos among the Fae courts, and the consequences are now rippling across Prythian.

Before the protagonist can ask more, the Suriel senses danger—naga, shadowy creatures of malice, are approaching, drawn by the Suriel’s scream and her human scent. It urges her to free it and run back to Tamlin’s manor for safety. But before she can fully react, four naga emerge from the trees, their dark, menacing forms radiating threat. Trapped between freeing the Suriel and defending herself, the protagonist faces a perilous situation as the danger closes in around her.

The encounter with the Suriel leaves the protagonist with more knowledge and warnings than she expected, but the immediate threat of the naga forces her to shift her focus to survival. The tension builds as she prepares to fight or flee, knowing that her actions in the next moments could determine whether she lives to make it back to Tamlin—and to uncover more about the dangerous world she has only begun to understand.