Tower of Dawn
Chapter Forty-Two
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Nesryn and Sartaq crashing into a hidden net strung between mountain peaks, a trap designed to ensnare their ruk, Kadara. During the violent collision, Sartaq shields Nesryn, taking the brunt of the impact as they are thrown from the saddle. The scene is chaotic, with descriptions of twisting bodies, shattered shale, and Kadara’s desperate attempts to protect the hatchling in her talons. The pair survive the fall but are left disoriented and injured, with Sartaq bearing the worst of the wounds.
As they regain their bearings, Nesryn frantically frees herself and Sartaq from the tangled saddle straps, relieved to find him alive despite his injuries. Meanwhile, Kadara lies trapped in the nearly invisible webbing, her wings pinned. Sartaq and Nesryn rush to cut her free, their urgency underscored by the hatchling’s absence—it had been thrown during the crash. The tension mounts as they realize the hatchling is vulnerable, its distressed cries echoing through the pass.
Their efforts to rescue Kadara are interrupted when the hatchling is suddenly attacked by a monstrous creature, its spine brutally pierced. The gruesome death leaves Nesryn and Sartaq horrified, the scene emphasizing the brutality of their unseen enemies. With shadows closing in, Sartaq desperately commands Kadara to fly, but the injured ruk struggles to rise. Nesryn readies her bow, preparing for a fight as the threat draws nearer.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Nesryn and Sartaq facing imminent danger. The loss of the hatchling and Kadara’s incapacitation heighten the stakes, leaving them vulnerable in the treacherous pass. The narrative builds tension through visceral action and emotional weight, setting the stage for a confrontation with the lurking enemies. The chapter underscores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of their journey.
FAQs
1. What was the purpose of the web/net between the two peaks, and how did it impact Kadara and the riders?
Answer:
The web/net was a trap deliberately woven between the peaks not to catch wind, but to ensnare ruks like Kadara. This caused Kadara to crash into it mid-flight, leading to a violent collision that threw both Nesryn and Sartaq from the saddle. The impact was severe—Kadara became entangled in the near-invisible silk, her wings pinned, while Sartaq and Nesryn were flung onto the shale-covered pass floor. Sartaq shielded Nesryn from the worst of the impact, sustaining injuries himself. The trap was clearly designed to incapacitate ruk riders, demonstrating a premeditated ambush strategy by an unseen enemy.2. Analyze Sartaq’s actions during the crash and what they reveal about his character.
Answer:
Sartaq’s immediate reaction to the crash highlights his selflessness and protective nature. He threw his body over Nesryn’s to absorb the impact, prioritizing her safety over his own. Even when injured and dazed, his first concern was for Kadara, his ruk, and the hatchling they were trying to save. His command to Kadara to “fly” despite her injuries shows his determination and leadership under pressure. These actions reveal Sartaq as a courageous and loyal figure, deeply bonded to both his companions and his duty, willing to sacrifice himself for others in life-threatening situations.3. How does the fate of the hatchling contribute to the chapter’s tension and foreshadowing?
Answer:
The hatchling’s brutal death amplifies the chapter’s tension by introducing a visceral, emotional shock. Its helplessness and pleading eyes make its demise particularly harrowing, emphasizing the cruelty of the unseen attackers. This event also serves as foreshadowing—the ebony leg that impales the hatchling suggests a larger, more sinister threat lurking in the pass (likely the kharankui, or spider-like creatures). The sudden violence and the hatchling’s silence create a sense of impending danger, signaling that Nesryn and Sartaq are far from safe and that worse confrontations lie ahead.4. What role does Nesryn’s bow play in this chapter, and why is its retrieval significant?
Answer:
Nesryn’s bow symbolizes her readiness and capability as a fighter, making its retrieval a critical moment. After the crash, she immediately scans for it, showing her tactical mindset even in disarray. Finding it intact allows her to arm herself against the emerging threat, transitioning from vulnerability to preparedness. The bow also represents her identity as an archer and protector—its presence in her hands as she aims toward the shadows underscores her resolve to defend herself and Sartaq. Without it, they would be far more vulnerable to the approaching enemies.5. Evaluate the chapter’s pacing and how the author builds suspense during the crash sequence.
Answer:
The pacing is rapid and chaotic, mirroring the disorientation of the crash. Short, fragmented sentences (“Then twisting, slamming into stone… Then falling, tumbling…”) create a sense of urgency and instability. Suspense builds through sensory details—the “boom,” the “scrape of wing on shale,” and the hatchling’s cries—which immerse the reader in the characters’ panic. The gradual reveal of threats (first the net, then the hatchling’s death, then the scuttling shadows) layers tension, leaving readers anxious about what will emerge next. The abrupt cutoff at the end (“Shadows writhed. Scuttled closer.”) heightens suspense, forcing readers to anticipate the next danger.
Quotes
1. “The hatchling had been a trap. It was the last thought Nesryn had as Kadara crashed into the web—the net woven between the two peaks. Built not to catch the wind, but ruks.”
This opening line sets the tone for the chapter, revealing the cruel deception at play. It introduces the central conflict—a predatory trap disguised as vulnerability—while showcasing the author’s sharp, economical prose.
2. “He roared as they struck the shale, as he kept her atop him, taking the full brunt of the impact.”
A powerful moment of sacrifice that defines Sartaq’s character. The visceral language (“roared,” “brunt of the impact”) makes the physical and emotional stakes tangible, marking a turning point in the survival sequence.
3. “She sobbed through her teeth, her legs at last coming free, allowing her to roll over to get to his own, to the tangled bits of leather shredded between them.”
This quote captures Nesryn’s desperate resilience with striking sensory detail (“sobbed through her teeth,” “shredded between them”). It represents the chapter’s theme of fragile connection amidst violence—both physical (the leather straps) and emotional.
4. “One heartbeat, the hatchling had opened its beak to cry for help. The next it screamed, eyes flaring as a long ebony leg emerged from behind a pillar of rock and slammed through its spine.”
The chapter’s most harrowing moment, where innocence meets brutal violence. The juxtaposition of “cry for help” and “slammed through its spine” exemplifies the narrative’s unflinching portrayal of predation, with cinematic pacing that heightens the horror.
5. “Nesryn sheathed her sword and drew her bow, arrow shaking as she aimed it toward the rock the hatchling had been hauled behind, then the trees a hundred yards off.”
A climactic moment of defiance that showcases Nesryn’s transition from victim to warrior. The “shaking” arrow humanizes her fear while the act of aiming symbolizes resistance—a microcosm of the chapter’s survival narrative.