Summary

In the present, Vaedan begins his day hunting with Quul, tracking a rabbit through the forest. After successfully killing the prey, Quul's unusual behavior alerts Vaedan to something amiss. Inspecting the rabbit, he finds its veins blackened, likely from illness or poison. Vaedan buries the animal to honor the Earth Mother’s cycle of life.

As Vaedan patrols his territory, he notices an unsettling quietness in the forest. Signs of unusual behavior among wildlife, including a deer wandering too close to his camp and firejays gathered unnaturally out of season, deepen his unease. Following these strange occurrences, Vaedan discovers a horrifying sight—a desolate area within the forest where life has withered unnaturally. Trees stand skeletal and decayed, and the forest floor is littered with crumbling bark and crushed shells.

Analysis

These chapters dive into how Vaedan regards the enemy Strigs and their...