Tower of Dawn
Chapter Twenty-Nine
by Maas, Sarah J.Nesryn and Prince Sartaq are caught in a violent storm while traversing the northern Asimil Mountains. Sheltering beneath a rocky overhang, they endure freezing rain and howling winds, with Sartaq’s ruk, Kadara, acting as a protective barrier. Despite her thick ruk leathers and wool blanket, Nesryn suffers from the cold, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. The storm’s intensity forces them to huddle together, highlighting the harsh conditions of their journey and the resilience required to survive in such an unforgiving environment.
As the storm rages, Nesryn reflects on her aversion to magic, even before its disappearance from the world. She has always relied on physical skills like archery and swordsmanship, believing steel more dependable than magic. However, the extreme cold makes her yearn for warmth, even fantasizing about Aelin Galathynius, the Fire-Bringer, arriving to aid them. Nesryn speculates about Aelin’s whereabouts, wondering if her disappearance is due to Morath’s schemes or her own strategic planning. She admires Aelin’s ability to conceal her long-term plans, a trait she finds both impressive and reassuring.
After hours of enduring the storm, they finally resume their journey, though the damp saddle makes for an uncomfortable ride. Forced to camp overnight in a copse of trees, Nesryn grapples with lingering cold and discomfort, realizing how little she knows about Sartaq despite their shared mission. The prince’s kindness, offering his blankets and clothes, contrasts with her growing unease about their unfamiliarity. Nesryn questions her decision to accompany him, even as she acknowledges the importance of their alliance against the looming threat of Morath.
The next day, they continue their flight toward the Tavan Mountains, with Sartaq pointing out the historical connection between the rukhin and the Darghan horse-lords. He explains how their shared past influences their military strategies, blending aerial and ground forces. Nesryn probes about Sartaq’s wartime experiences, to which he responds with a grim reminder of his father’s ruthless rule. The conversation leaves her unsettled, underscoring the high stakes of their mission and the brutal realities of the empire they seek to unite against a common enemy.
FAQs
1. How does Nesryn’s attitude toward magic evolve during the storm, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Initially, Nesryn had never longed for magical gifts, even before magic vanished, preferring to rely on her physical skills and weapons. However, during the brutal storm on the cliff, she finds herself wishing for “a spark of flame in her veins” or the presence of Aelin, the Fire-Bringer, to warm them. This momentary desire reveals Nesryn’s vulnerability and adaptability—despite her usual self-reliance, extreme circumstances push her to consider alternative solutions. Yet, she quickly reaffirms her pragmatic mindset, reminding herself that “magic had failed before” and resolving to fight Morath without it. This duality shows her as both human in her weaknesses and steadfast in her principles.2. Analyze the significance of the storm as a narrative device in this chapter.
Answer:
The storm serves multiple purposes: it heightens tension, isolates Nesryn and Sartaq, and acts as a crucible for their developing dynamic. Physically, the storm forces them into close quarters, testing their endurance and cooperation. Symbolically, it mirrors the larger turmoil in their world—the “darkness” creeping over cities and the uncertainty of Aelin’s whereabouts. The storm also contrasts with Nesryn’s internal struggle, as the external chaos amplifies her doubts about her hasty decision to accompany Sartaq. Additionally, Kadara’s protection against the storm parallels the themes of loyalty and resilience, foreshadowing the rukhin’s potential role in the coming conflict.3. What does the interaction between Nesryn and Sartaq reveal about their relationship at this point in the story?
Answer:
Their interactions highlight a tentative, formal alliance strained by physical discomfort and mutual unfamiliarity. Sartaq shows concern by offering his blankets and spare clothes, but Nesryn realizes she barely knows him, calling him “little more than a stranger.” Their sparse conversation and shared suffering during the storm create a bond of survival, yet Nesryn’s doubts (“wondered if she’d perhaps been a tad hasty”) underscore the political stakes underlying their journey. The chapter ends with Sartaq sharing cultural history—a gesture of trust—but Nesryn’s wariness lingers, suggesting their relationship is in its early, uncertain stages.4. How does the chapter foreshadow the broader conflict involving Morath and Aelin’s role?
Answer:
Nesryn’s reflections on Aelin’s disappearance hint at the queen’s strategic brilliance and the looming threat of Morath. She speculates whether Aelin’s vanishing is “some awful play by Morath, or some scheme of the queen herself,” leaning toward the latter due to Aelin’s penchant for hidden plans. This foreshadows future revelations about Aelin’s strategies. Meanwhile, Nesryn’s resolve to “find a way to fight Morath without [magic]” underscores the desperation of their world’s conflict, emphasizing that the alliance with Sartaq and the rukhin may be pivotal in a war where magic is unreliable.5. What cultural insights does Sartaq provide about the rukhin and Darghan, and why are they significant?
Answer:
Sartaq explains that the rukhin and Darghan were once united as horse-lords who tamed the ruks in the Tavan Mountains. Some chose to remain in the mountains, preserving shared traditions like the sulde (a symbolic horsetail banner). This history reveals the deep roots of their martial alliance—cavalry and aerial fighters complementing each other—which could be crucial against Morath. The mention of Kashin and Tumelun’s influence also introduces political tensions within the empire, suggesting that loyalty divisions may complicate Nesryn’s mission. These details enrich the worldbuilding and hint at potential challenges in uniting forces against a common enemy.
Quotes
1. “Magic had failed, she’d told her father and sister whenever they asked. Good steel would not.”
This quote encapsulates Nesryn’s pragmatic worldview and her rejection of relying on magic, especially after its disappearance. It highlights her resilience and adaptability in a world where power dynamics have shifted dramatically.
2. “Having seen what Aelin was capable of in Rifthold, the plans she’d laid out and enacted without any of them knowing … Nesryn’s money was on Aelin. The queen would show up when and where she wished—at precisely the moment she intended.”
This passage reveals Nesryn’s admiration for Aelin’s strategic brilliance and patience, contrasting with the queen’s public reputation. It also builds suspense about Aelin’s potential role in the larger conflict while demonstrating Nesryn’s perceptiveness.
3. “Our father ensures that the territories within our empire are well aware that loyalty is rewarded. And resistance is answered with death.”
Sartaq’s chilling statement about his father’s rule provides crucial insight into the political dynamics of the Southern Continent’s empire. This quote foreshadows potential conflicts and establishes the stakes for any alliance negotiations.
4. “Yet sitting on that cliff, whipped by the wind and rain until she couldn’t remember what warmth felt like, Nesryn found herself wishing for a spark of flame in her veins.”
This vulnerable moment shows Nesryn’s internal conflict between her stated rejection of magic and her very human longing for comfort and power in desperate circumstances. It adds depth to her character and the story’s exploration of magic’s role.
5. “The rukhin and the Darghan were once one and the same. We chased down the ruks atop our Muniqi horses, tracked them deep into the Tavan Mountains.”
This historical explanation from Sartaq provides important world-building context about the origins of the ruk riders and their connection to the Darghan people. It enriches the cultural tapestry of the story while showing Sartaq’s knowledge and pride in his heritage.