Content Warning: This section contains violence and addresses the psychological toll of war.



A poem warns of events that will destroy the peace in Pyrrhia and bring about the destruction of the Jade Mountain.

Palm runs across the desert, trying to escape from guards sent by Queen Oasis. She seeks refuge from the desert with her sister Prickle, who ridicules her for falling in love with Prince Smolder and lectures her about her choices. She forces Palm to give her the earrings she received from Smolder in exchange for safety.

Palm agrees because she is pregnant and must protect her dragonet. The guards find Prickle’s home. One guard recognizes Palm and takes Prickle instead because Palm was once kind to her. The guard points out the earrings that Prickle now wears as proof that Prickle is Palm. Palm escapes.

Qibli watches a group of six dragons fly from the top of Jade Mountain, heading towards the rainforest where Queen Glory lives. Five dragonets follow the giant NightWing, Darkstalker. Qibli reflects on his distrust of Darkstalker and his frustration at his own lack of magic and power.

Qibli recalls life in the Scorpion Den, a community of SandWing thieves and scoundrels.