Chapter Fifty-Five: Fire Riders

Kinesee, chafing under Ravinrin protection on the ash-covered trail south of the Kovo River, escapes her guards with Alu to follow a suspicious man, discovering him attempting to smother his infant daughter due to his wife’s death and lack of food. Ivin and Polus intervene, saving the child, though Polus brutally beats the father, reflecting the caravan’s desperation and moral strain. At the Yundile River, Solineus debates crossing a safer but exposed ford near Tek Reshu territory versus a broader, shallower point, when Tek drums signal an army’s arrival at the ford, demanding a meeting. Ivin, Solineus, Meliu, Lelishen, and clan-blood meet Duke Ovrin Hermed, who, wary of the Rot, initially mistakes a decoy for the duke. Ivin offers the Ar-Bdein sword for safe passage, but Ovrin demands Solineus’ Twins. Solineus, exploiting the Twins’ angelic possession, challenges Ovrin to kill him with them, causing the decoy to collapse in terror, revealing the real Ovrin. Accepting the Ar-Bdein sword, Ovrin requests a feast to discuss terms, offering rams, though clan-blood suspect a trap.

ToP Chapter 54 — Awakening the Night
ToP Chapter 56 — Peace for War
Trail of Pyres - Main Chapter Listing