Tower of Dawn
Chapter Forty-Eight
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Nesryn awakening abruptly, her senses heightened by a sudden, sharp biting sensation. She initially perceives the bites as coming from Falkan, a shifter, but quickly realizes she is restrained in a silk binding within a mysterious, dimly lit environment. The setting is no longer a cave but a polished, carved passage illuminated by moonlight, suggesting an ancient, sacred space. Nesryn’s immediate concern is Sartaq, who remains unconscious, and her instinct to act quickly and find a way out becomes paramount as she gauges her surroundings and her captors.
As Nesryn and Falkan attempt to escape, they encounter a formidable and eerily dark spider-like creature, a kharankui, emerging from the shadows. The creature’s presence is intimidating, and it immediately recognizes Nesryn and Falkan as intruders investigating forgotten places. The spider speaks in a melodious voice, questioning their purpose, revealing that they are seeking information about the traders and the legendary webs—Spiresilk—that the kharankui might possess or guard. Nesryn, under pressure, fabricates a story about a merchant seeking to trade with the kharankui, attempting to buy time while Falkan discreetly chews at the silk bindings.
The dialogue with the spider deepens, exposing the kharankui’s disdain for mortals and their trade practices. The creature dismisses the idea of trading, emphasizing their predatory nature and their desire to consume dreams and years of mortals. Nesryn’s questions reveal that they are in a space where the kharankui wait for someone significant—specifically, the Queen of the Valg, Maeve. Carvings on the walls depict an archway and a cloaked figure, which Nesryn deduces to be the queen, hinting at a powerful, dark figure who commands this place. The kharankui’s attitude underscores their allegiance and anticipation of a dark, inevitable return.
The chapter concludes with the kharankui confirming they are waiting for Maeve, the Queen of the Valg, rather than Erawan or other dark entities. The creature’s disdain for Erawan and its focus on Maeve as their true queen reveal the political and supernatural tensions at play. The scene is charged with foreboding, as Nesryn and her companions realize they are in a nexus of dark power, waiting for a figure who embodies chaos and destruction. This revelation sets the stage for future confrontations and the unfolding of larger, sinister plans involving the Valg and their queen.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What are the immediate circumstances Nesryn finds herself in at the start of this chapter, and what do these details reveal about her situation?
Answer:
Nesryn awakens abruptly to the sensation of biting, initially mistaking it for an attack but soon realizing it is Falkan, the shifter, biting her neck and ear. She is restrained by silk bindings that reek, indicating they are in a hostile or dangerous environment. The setting is a dimly lit, carved pass or section of a mountain, not a cave, with ancient carvings on the walls. Sartaq is nearby, unconscious or unresponsive, and Nesryn is aware of her peril, trying to remain calm and assess her surroundings. These details reveal she is in a precarious, possibly enchanted or cursed space, held captive with limited visibility, and in urgent need of escape or rescue.
2. Question 2
Describe the nature of the creature Nesryn encounters and her initial reaction to it. How does this interaction deepen the mystery of the chapter?
Answer:
Nesryn encounters a large, dark spider-like creature with a deeper blackness than the night, as if the starlight itself is reluctant to touch her. The spider speaks in a beautiful, lyrical voice and identifies herself as a member of the kharankui, a race that does not trade with mortals but devours them, indicating her dangerous nature. Nesryn’s initial reaction is one of controlled fear—she tries to distract herself and buy time by engaging the spider in conversation. This interaction deepens the mystery because it reveals the spider’s hostility, her connection to ancient, primal forces, and her role in waiting for a significant figure—the Queen of the Valg—implying a larger, dark political or supernatural conflict at play.
3. Question 3
What is the significance of the carved wall that the spider points to, and what does it reveal about the overarching plot or setting?
Answer:
The carved wall depicts an archway or gate with a cloaked figure standing within it, which Nesryn identifies as a symbol of a significant personage. The spider explains they are waiting for “Her Dark Majesty,” specifically the Queen of the Valg, who calls herself Maeve. This carving and the spider’s words reveal that they are in a place of ancient importance, possibly a nexus or a site linked to the Valg and their history. It underscores the chapter’s focus on the Valg’s enduring influence and their connection to powerful, dark royalty. This setting hints at an impending confrontation or reunion with a major antagonist and emphasizes the chapter’s theme of waiting for a pivotal figure’s return.
4. Question 4
Analyze the implications of the spider’s statement that they are waiting for the Queen of the Valg, who calls herself Maeve. What does this suggest about her identity and her role in the story?
Answer:
The spider’s statement that they await the Queen of the Valg, who self-identifies as Maeve, suggests that she is a significant and possibly central figure in the Valg hierarchy. The use of “Her Dark Majesty” and the context of waiting for her return imply that Maeve holds immense power, perhaps even more than other Valg rulers or queens. This indicates her role as a key antagonist or a figure of dark authority whose return could have profound consequences for the story’s world. The chapter’s focus on her presence emphasizes her importance in the overarching plot, hinting at her potential influence over the Valg’s plans and the impending threat she may pose upon her return.
5. Question 5
Considering the chapter’s content, how might Nesryn and her companions prepare for the challenges ahead, based on the information revealed about the Valg and their queen?
Answer:
Nesryn and her companions should recognize the significance of the Valg queen, Maeve, as a formidable and possibly ancient force awaiting her return. Preparation would involve gathering intelligence about the Valg’s history, their current strength, and any weaknesses that could be exploited. They must also focus on rescuing Sartaq, who appears unresponsive, and understanding the environment they are in—an ancient, carved site linked to the Valg. Strategically, they should consider uncovering or creating means to counter the Valg’s dark magic and influence, perhaps seeking allies or artifacts that can challenge Maeve’s power. Recognizing the importance of timing and secrecy will be crucial, as the Valg’s return could signal a major shift in the ongoing conflict. Their immediate actions should include devising a plan to escape or disrupt the Valg’s plans while preparing for the confrontation with Maeve.
Quotes
1. “We wait for Her Dark Majesty to return at last.”
This quote reveals the central focus of the spider’s purpose—anticipating the return of a powerful, possibly divine or dark queen. It underscores the chapter’s theme of longing and the ominous significance of this figure within the story’s larger mythology.
2. “Our blood kin they may be, but no true sisters of the soul. Gentlehearted fools, trading with mortals—trading, when we were born to devour you.”
This statement highlights the alien and predatory nature of the spiders, emphasizing their view of kinship as superficial and their inherent hostility. It deepens the reader’s understanding of the spiders’ identity and their disdain for mortal dealings, framing them as ancient, primal beings.
3. “We have nothing to trade, beyond the bones of your kin.”
A stark, chilling line that emphasizes the spiders’ nihilistic outlook and their view of their relationship with mortals as predatory and destructive. It also signals the absence of bargaining or diplomacy, hinting at the danger and hostility Nesryn and her companions face.
4. “And as her eyes at last adjusted to the dimness, Nesryn saw what the spider pointed to. A carving of an archway—a gate. And a cloaked figure standing within it.”
This moment marks a key visual and thematic revelation—the depiction of the waiting figure and the symbolic gate—foreshadowing the arrival or significance of the awaited queen. It illustrates the chapter’s motif of anticipation and the importance of this figure in the story’s broader conflict.
5. “We wait for the Queen of the Valg, who in this world calls herself Maeve.”
This final quote clarifies the identity of the figure the spiders are waiting for, linking her to the Valg and establishing her as a central antagonist or pivotal character. It encapsulates the chapter’s revelation about the true nature of the threat Nesryn faces and the overarching plot involving powerful, dark queens.