Chapter Fifty-Four: Awakening the Night

the Silone successfully deploy their ferry-bridge to cross the Ilmen River, with Meliu and Ivin witnessing the integration of Sedut’s holy adherents, openly wearing their robes among the clans. As the caravan stretches across the Blooded Plain, Tek Merseng archers attack, killing hundreds with arrows and Wyvern’s Flash, a devastating white fire. Ivin, Sedut, and clan warriors counterattack, with Sedut’s lethal prayers and Ivin’s sword felling dozens, though Ivin takes an arrow to the thigh. Meliu, restrained by the risk of Dark’s toll, watches as healer Izilfer mends Ivin’s wound. That night, Solineus, awakened by the Lady’s warning, rouses the camp to face Wakened Dead—charred corpses reanimated from the day’s battle. Solineus, Tudwan, and Polus fight fiercely, but Tudwan is gravely injured, and Irose, Polus’ pregnant wife, is fatally wounded, losing her unborn daughter despite Izilfer’s efforts. The clan-blood council erupts in blame, with accusations of necromancy, but Ivin, limping from his injury, enforces order, decreeing immediate burning of all dead to prevent further risings. Polus, grieving, and Zorun Mulharth, mourning his brother, support moving south to the Kovo River, prioritizing survival over pride.

ToP Chapter 53 — A Ladder of Rivers
ToP Chapter 55 — Fire Riders
Trail of Pyres - Main Chapter Listing