When the Moon Hatched Episode 2: Chapters 16-28

Summary

Fantasy Fangirls: When the Moon Hatched Deep Dive – Episode 2 (Chapters 16–28)

Date: March 16, 2026
Hosts: Nicole & Lexi

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Episode Overview

In this episode, sisters Nicole and Lexi embark on a thorough, laughter-filled deep dive into chapters 16–28 of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker. Their discussion blends careful plot dissection, character analysis, worldbuilding, and rampant speculation, focusing on Rave’s imprisonment, trauma, and near-death experience, as well as Elowyn’s formative diary entries. They analyze major revelations, muse about magic and politics, and intersperse pop culture references and personal theories—while offering spoiler warnings and their signature sisterly banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spoiler Warning and Episode Format (03:07)

• Nicole & Lexi clarify the “Deep Dive” covers all spoilers for When the Moon Hatched.
• Tone is adult-oriented – “We are adults who say adult things about adult books.”
• Series recap: Plot summary first, then deep analysis.

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2. Parchment Lark Delivery: Chapters 16–28 Plot Recap (07:02–11:51)

Nicole summarizes the main events:

• Rave’s Torture and Imprisonment: Chained and tortured by Rexaros, Rave suffers both physical and psychological trauma ("something stringy between her teeth—Rexaro’s finger tendon"). Her resilience and humor shine in her banter during torture.
• Cellmates and Trial Setup: Rave meets Rook the Woto (small, sneaky fae-animal), discovers a Truth Tune (magical lie detector), and faces a trial set up by the Crown.
• Elowyn's Diary Entries (Past): Elowyn helps her injured brother Hadeon in the cold, bonds with the moonplume dragon Slotra, and learns to shoulder responsibility.
• Political Intrigue: King Tyroth of the Burn tries to arrange Elowyn’s marriage; her father refuses.
• Khan’s Arrival: Disguised as a Rooney, Khan visits Rave in her cell; his emotional reaction to seeing “Elowyn” alive for the first time leads to a tense, confusing reunion.
• Coliseum Execution: Rave is sentenced to die by dragonfire; Khan manipulates the outcome to set up her rescue by Rygon, the giant dragon.
• Uno’s Visit: Uno the muskin (magical creature) arrives, offering Rave a possible escape. A vision shows rescuing her will doom others, so Rave accepts her fate.

Notable Quotes:

• "Right now the ground is my friend. Unless I’m standing, then it’s my enemy." (Rave’s inner monologue, [104:53])
• "Don’t you ever just wish the ground would open up and eat people?" (Rave at trial, [42:54])
• [On Rave’s death sentence:] "Go big or go home, I guess." (Nicole, [09:14])

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3. Character Deep Dives & Emotional Analysis

Rave’s Trauma and Coping Mechanisms (16:55–23:00, 51:25–54:59)

• Lexi: Rave’s history of torture (Scavenger King, iron whips) colors her every reaction. She internalizes guilt over Essie’s death, using revenge against Rek Zaros as a coping tool:
  • "She will cling to this revenge because it is in many ways safe." (Lexi, [18:00])
• Nicole: Rave’s signature banter and sarcasm intensify under stress—a defense mechanism honed through past trauma.

Khan’s Shock and Conflicted Feelings (29:17–34:00)

• Discussion pivots on Khan’s disbelief, pain, and layered anger as he confronts Rave (Elowyn), who doesn’t recognize him.
  • “A choked sound slips out of him. His hands tremble, and the only question he can ask is ‘how?’” (Nicole, [29:14])
• Both: Sympathy for both sides—Khan’s grief and confusion; Rave’s lack of memory and instinctive fear.

Other Standouts

• Elowyn’s Responsibility: Diary entries show young Elowyn forging her core belief: "I have to be strong for others. Their well-being is my responsibility." (Nicole, [78:11])
• Rave’s Self-Perception:
  • "She is allergic to help, plain and simple." (Nicole, [51:25])

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4. Worldbuilding, Lore, and Political Structures (94:08–102:03)

Lexi delivers an in-depth rundown of The Fade (middle kingdom):

• Climate, social hierarchy, ditches and Undercity, and brutal military conscription system.
• Explanation of Fae society: Truth Tunes, Nulls, Moonplume dragons, and how children are sorted/forced into military.
• Rebellion: The Fear du ATH is the main rebel group, rumored to maintain a secret stronghold called The Flourish.
  • "There are propaganda posters warning citizens that the Fear du ATH wants to steal their children...as an attempt to weaken the Kingdom. More like the Crown is exploiting children." (Lexi, [100:50])

Magic System and Creatures

• Moonplume dragons, Molten Maws, Wotos, Muskin—interconnected magical and political elements.
• Elemental songs and runes: Discussion of healing (Bea the fleshthreader with Dragon Sight), dragon bonds, and the symbolic significance of runes/scars.

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5. Key Scenes & Memorable Moments

Rave’s Trial and Banter ([42:54]–[46:55])

• Classic Rave sarcasm during her trial: “I would cheer, but I’m certain you’ll do enough of that this slumber while you’re staring at your floor-length mirror fisting your microcock.” (Rave, [104:53])
• The bittersweet humor as her social defiance becomes a distraction and shield.

Khan’s Rescue Plan ([47:45]–[50:10])

• Khan votes for death by dragons, aiming to orchestrate a rescue via his own beast, Rygon.

Healing and Vulnerability ([51:25]–[54:59])

• The mending scene between Rave, Khan, and Bea is tender and fraught, with Khan showing deep respect for her trauma and boundaries.
  • "Khan is so respectful at every step, never looking anywhere but at Rave’s eyes." (Lexi, [53:00])

Unexpected Alliances & Creatures ([57:45]–[63:15])

• Uno the muskin’s vision and the ethics of rescue; highlights how fateful, tiny decisions—plus magic—can alter everything.

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6. Foreshadowing & Theories (90:24–93:02)

• The Flourish’s fate and the war to come: Speculation on the rebellion’s future, Khan’s potential alliance with the Elding, the true role of the twins, and the intersection of political and magical power.
• Book Two Teasers: Both are eager to see more from the Fade Queen and the future of Elowyn/Rave and Khan.

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On trauma and snark:
  "Her banter with Rexaros is actually some of my favorite comebacks in this entire book. And it’s sad because it’s entirely from her being like, I have nothing else to lose." – Nicole, [19:52]
• On the villain’s complexity:
  "I love when [a villain] is complex…black and white capable of love." – Lexi, [37:52]
• On suffering and healing:
  "We only know about a few runes on Rave’s body. There’s many…what other injuries did she withstand that we don’t know of?" – Nicole, [56:56]
• On character growth:
  "For the first time since I climbed in Hadeen’s sleigh, all those faces ago, I felt remarkable." – Elowyn’s diary, quoted by Lexi, [111:07]
• On world injustice:
  "Even here [in prison] they have to sign for their food by name and thumbprint…as if they would ever be in a position...to pay back for it." – Lexi, [23:17]
• On Rave’s attitude:
  "Die a slow traumatic death and perhaps I'll consider whispering [my real name] next to your ear right before your heart gives out." – Rave, [104:53]
• On Khan’s self-control:
  "You know what else is hot? A man's self control. While Rave is topless getting healed by Bea, not once does Khan's gaze drop to her chest. It's almost like it's not that fucking hard." – Nicole, [109:07]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 03:07 – Spoiler warning and content disclaimer
• 07:02 – Parchment Lark plot summary (Chapters 16–28)
• 16:55 – Elemental Songs: Deep character and trauma analysis
• 23:47 – Society, class, and rebellion (Truth Tunes, Nulls, the Fear du ATH)
• 29:14 – Khan & Rave’s emotional cell reunion
• 42:24 – Rave’s trial: Insults and sentencing
• 47:45 – Khan’s vote and rescue plan
• 51:25 – Mending scene; Rave’s boundaries and Khan’s respect
• 57:45 – Uno the muskin’s fateful vision
• 63:41 – Key moments/favorite quotes
• 94:08 – Worldbuilding: The Fade and its society
• 102:03 – Shopping at the Curly Quill: Favorite moments discussion
• 111:21 – Diary entries (Elowyn’s formative memory, Hadeon’s fate)
• 113:41 – Announcements, acknowledgements, upcoming episode preview

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Tone & Style

• The tone is playful, sharp, and irreverent, with enthusiastic pop-culture references, candid swearing, and sisters talking like superfans ("He’s so strong and sexy but also desperate to see her—show not tell!").
• Analyses oscillate between empathy and humor; trauma is taken seriously, but lightened by honest, sometimes crass asides.
• Quotes and theories delivered with fan energy: “I love a first-person POV denial!”; “Add this to the things we love on a reread.”

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For New Listeners & Readers

• True to the Book’s Intensity: The Fangirls explore complex character trauma, nuanced villainy, and the book’s intricate world, making this deep dive an excellent companion for readers seeking a richer understanding or looking to relive the story’s emotional highs and lows.
• Guides and Teasers for Book Two: The sisters frequently predict where the series will go, connecting dots and highlighting foreshadowing for the sequel, Ballad of Falling Dragons.
• Lots of Laughs, but Respect for Depth: Despite the snark and banter, there’s serious engagement with themes of trauma, loyalty, identity, and moral ambiguity.

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Episode Highlights

• Rave’s resilience: Her steadfast refusal to betray friends, her banter under duress, and self-sacrifice for the greater good.
• Khan’s pain and longing: His shock, grief, and immediate plotting to rescue Elowyn/Rave.
• Political and magical systems: Detailed lore on the Fade, elemental magic, and dragon bonding.
• Feminist and class critique: The sisters call out the patriarchy, poverty, and state control.
• Top-tier quotes and comebacks: The highlight reel of Rave’s one-liners provides both humor and sharp characterization.

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Looking Forward

The next episode (Chapters 29–36) promises a focus on Rave and Khan’s dynamics post-rescue (“the lake scene!”), deeper exploration of magic, and more insights on revolution and romance.

Favorite moments, key insights, wild theories, and plenty of laughter—Fantasy Fangirls remains a must-listen for die-hard fantasy fans.

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Fan club info, live event promotions, and community links are referenced but excluded from this summary for brevity. Skip to content sections for in-depth lore and analysis.

Transcript

[Nicole]

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[Hayden]

Howdy, howdy ho, and welcome to Fantasy Fan Fellas. I'm Hayden, producer of the Fantasy Fangirls podcast and your resident lover of all things Sanderson.

[Stephen]

And I'm Stephen, your bookish Internet goofball, but you can call me the Smash Daddy.

[Hayden]

And we are currently deep diving Brandon Sanderson's fantasy epic Mistborn. But here's the catch. Steven here has not read Mistborn before.

[Stephen]

That's right. Hey hey. So each week you'll get my unfiltered raw reactions to every single chapter.

[Hayden]

And along the way we'll do character, deep div, magic explainers, and Steven will even try to guess what's next. Spoiler alert. He'll be wrong.

[Stephen]

News flash. I'm never wrong. Episodes come out every Wednesday and you can find Fantasy Fan fellows wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

I absolutely love my leak proof undies because as you can imagine for us moms here, if I am, you know, jumping in the bounce house with my children or doing jumping jacks, I could really use some leak proof underwear. So that is where Nyx comes in. I absolutely love it. I have several pairs and my absolute favorites are the high rise ones.

[Nicole]

I love it. Have you ordered your super leak proof dream boxers yet? This boxer has sold out how many times, Lexi? 3.3times before the dream boxer feels like pajamas but with serious overnight protection. It is genius really. It's a loose fit boxer with a built in super comfy brief to secure coverage that can absorb seven to nine super tampons worth. Science is amazing. And like all incredible Nyx leak proof undies, these dream boxers wash like regular undies. It's so easy.

[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Fantasy Fangirls podcast, where two sisters dive deep into books, beloved fantasy lore, character theme, series and more.

[Lexi]

I'm Lexi, older sister and fantasy lore nerd.

[Nicole]

And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.

[Lexi]

And today is episode two for our Deep Dive of When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker, where we're covering chapters 16 through 28. Before we get started, please listen closely to our spoiler warning. All of our Deep Dive episodes, including this. Episode two has spoilers for all of when the Moon Hatched.

[Nicole]

Lexi, do I have something in my teeth?

[Lexi]

Yeah, it's kind of stringy.

[Nicole]

Oh, that's just a bit of Rexaros finger tendon that my other ate. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, then oh my God. Please go listen to the book. We will be here when you're done.

[Lexi]

Next, we at Fantasy Fangirls are adults who say adult things about adult books. In other words, friends, this podcast is

[Nicole]

rated R. Someone is told to fist their microcock this episode and no, it's not con. Of course it's not con. Of course not. Please be mindful of those little listening ears.

[Lexi]

Additionally, we are so excited to see you at upcoming live events.

[Nicole]

We are so excited to partner with Tattered Cover and Book and gather for a very special midnight release party for Ballad of Falling Dragons, the sequel to when the moon hatched, on May 18th in Denver, Colorado. Then on April 8th, we are partnering with the Denver Nuggets and Rebecca Yarrows for a fourth wing themed basketball night at Ballerina. We actually just did a walkthrough this week. It was so fun. Oh my gosh, I can't wait.

[Lexi]

We cannot wait to do a live show at the neptune Theater on April 19th in Seattle. Tickets are on sale now for you to dive deep into how to train your dragon with us.

[Nicole]

Check out our website or the links below for more information. And of course, keep an eye out as always for more announcements.

[Lexi]

Coming soon. In case you missed it, Fantasy Fanfellas Season 2 is underway on the fantasy Fanfellows feed, where Hayden and Steven are diving deep into Brandon Sanderson's the well of Ascension. Every episode only includes spoilers up to the chapters covered as Hayden takes Stephen through his first time reading the Mistborn series.

[Nicole]

Then the network's newest podcast is Fantasy Fan Reads, and that launches later this month on March 24th. It's hosted by the delightful Jess of Lost Books of Jess. And this podcast will be celebrating the joys of reading with author interviews, cozy coffee, conversations like the first episode with Lexi and more. Give both of these FFG Media Network shows. A follow link is in the show notes.

[Lexi]

Last thing before we jump into this when the Moon Hatched episode. If you love Fantasy Fangirls and want more events, more content, more community and so much more, please check out Fantasy Fan Club.

[Nicole]

We have six membership tiers that you can join, three that are Fantasy Fangirl specific. So if you love ffg, you can have the Hive Mind which includes access to our Bop in Discord, live Q&As from Lexi and I, a book club often featuring the authors themselves, community events like trivia, promo codes for live events, plus 20 off and exclusive merch that is for $6 a month. Or you can join the sponsor Spice Watchers which includes everything from the Hive Mind level plus early access to ad free episodes, our full episode outlines which are great for Ballad of Falling Dragons prep and of course special voting privileges that is for $10 a month. And then we have the Feral Fans which includes everything from the previous two tiers plus more behind the scenes content, a welcome gift giveaways, a private Discord channel called the Dining Room, and your name shouted out on the podcast. That is for $25 a month. And each of these tiers has an accompanying All Fantasy Fangirls Network tier as well.

[Lexi]

Join the party@Fantasy Fangirls.com Fan Club. The link is also in the show notes and really and truly, thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us as we've turned this podcast into a dream come true, into a network. It's all because of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Nicole]

And now Khan may be collecting moon shards, but it is time for him to save the most important piece of all.

[Lexi]

To start off every episode, let's get a Parchment Lark delivery where Nicole does us the honor of summarizing what happens in chapters 16 through 28 of when the Moon Hatched.

[Nicole]

Chapter 16 diary entry turns out this trip wasn't the grand adventure Elowen was hoping for. She found Hadeon at the bottom of a crevice, unable to move his legs. Elluan, fueled by sheer stubbornness and main character energy, builds a snow hut around him and takes over egg sitting duties. Promises to drag him outside so he can bond with the hatchling when the time comes. Good Sister Chapter 17 Ray finds herself shackled in an unknown room and sore, but not in a post leg day kind of way. The most unsettling detail of all something stringy between her teeth. Rexaro steps in front of her. But wait, how did he find her in the first place? Yeah, you remember Levi from chapter one? She talked that slippery snake. But Rave has bigger problems. Like Wreck whipping her back into string chee. Chapter 18 diary entry Things on Elowyn's front have entered why is everything on fire territory? Except it's why is everything on snow territory? But that doesn't sound as good. The Mama moonplume is circling around looking for the egg. And Hadeon keeps sleeping longer and longer. Pick a struggle, friends. But Elowen sits at his sides, dragonscale dagger in hand, silently telling any Doomquills? Not today, bitches. Chapter 19 Rafe wakes up again. This time, but she's in a cell again. How cozy R very moldy. Her cell neighbor gives her the tldr. She's been booked for an all expense paid trip to the Guild of nobles trial. Chapter 20 diary entry. Elowen makes it home, all thanks to the mama moonplume. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Hadeon is alive, but he will sadly never walk again. On the bright side, both Hadeon and Elwyn both have moon plumes now. And we will choose to hold this W with two hands. Chapter 21 Things are getting quite interesting in the cells. A Rooney joins the party. But something about this Rooney is mighty familiar. Why hello Khan. To say rave is confused is an understatement. Khan breaks into her cell, lights a lantern and then proceeds to spiral, only remembering one word.

[Stephen]

How.

[Nicole]

He clearly knows her and that's creeped her all the way out. But she's saved by the bell. As Khan is forced to leave, it is time for her trial. Dun dun dun. Chapter 22 Rafe did not her trial to make friends. She came to throw verbal grenades, starting with a mighty personal comment about the Chancellor's measurements. And the vote is in. Prisoner 73 will die by dragonfire in the Colosseum. Next Aurora Rise. Go big or go home, I guess. Rave Chapter 23 Rave gets deposited back into her cell at the perfect time. Lunch has arrived. But like last time, she gives it to her neighbor. I mean, she doesn't really need to eat when she's gonna die tomorrow. Chapter 24 diary entry time jump. Elowen is now 18 and the King of the Burn is visiting with an agenda. He wants to marry his son Tiroth Faygor to Elwen. Thankfully, Elwyn's father tells him to fuck right off. Dad of the year Hadeon has been a husk of himself since returning from Netheren. And Elwyn works on his Moonplume's wing so that he may fly with her someday. Hopefully soon. Chapter 25 in the Dark of the night, Khan will find you, find you. But this time, this bro's on a mission. He'll rave, bro, why? She's just gonna die in the morning, so it's completely pointless. But Khan insists, needing to do this to hold her hand and wipe her brow as Bea slowly, oh so painfully slowly mends her back. Nothing like an unhinged act of care from the man she doesn't even remember. Chapter 26 diary entry Elowyn continues to work on Ellum's wing. And she can fly. She can fly. She can fly. She can fly. After bonking Elowyn in the head. But hey, it got Hadeon smiling, so it's a win. Chapter 27 Finally, Rave is all patched up and ready to be sent to her death. Back in her cell, Rave is met with a familiar sight. Uno, who's come to break her out. But after some seeing the light, Uno has a vision that if Rave doesn't go to the Colosseum, both Ruze and Serene will die. And it's off to see the molten maws. The wonderful molten maws of the fade. Chapter 28 up in the Colosseum, Rave is bound to a wooden stake who only pictures Attack of the Clones here. But some movement in the imperial box catches her eye. The Queen is here. And boy oh boy is she shooketh. There's no time to spiral about that as the first molten maw lands on the awning. But then the Queen starts to scare off the dragon's bold strategy. Let's see if it pays off. It does not matter though, because a new dragon crushes the party and proceeds to scoop Rave up directly into its mouth. Which brings a whole new meaning to Om. Nom nom nom nom, nom, nom, nom nom nom.

[Lexi]

Thank you so much for that, Nicole. We will get right back to this deep dive after I word from our sponsors.

[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Hayden]

Howdy, howdy ho, and welcome to Fantasy Fan Fellas. I'm Hayden, producer of the Fantasy Fangirls podcast and your resident lover of all things Sanderson.

[Stephen]

And I'm Stephen, your bookish Internet goofball. But you can call me the Smash Daddy.

[Hayden]

And we are currently deep diving Brandon Sanderson's fantasy epic Mistborn. But here's the catch. Steven here has not read Mistborn before.

[Stephen]

That's right. Hey hey. So each week, you'll get my unfiltered raw reactions to every single chapter.

[Hayden]

And along the way we'll do character deep dives, magic explainers, and Steven will even try to guess what's next. Spoiler alert. He'll be wrong.

[Stephen]

News flash. I'm never wrong. Episodes come out every Wednesday, and you can find Fantasy Fan fellas wherever you get your podcast.

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[Lexi]

it is time to listen to the elemental songs to explore key insights, character analysis, lore, foreshadowing theories, and oh so much more. Picking up where we left off last episode, Rave is in quite the predicament. She snaps awake from a sleep that she describes as soft, like a wispy tail bound around her body. Oh, like how she is waking up from being the other, who we theorize is the spirit of her moon plume dragon. Who had that kind of tail? Anyway, Rave is shackled with her arms above her head and chains around her ankles. Sadly, she is completely at the mercy of Rex Zaros who knocked her unconscious after she bit off his finger. One of her eye sockets is fractured and she still has that iron pin in her shoulder that Rex had shot at her while she was the Other. So Rave is unable to use her elemental powers. She's also chained with iron and lots of iron around her right now where she cannot use her powers. Rave is actually not surprised to wake up in a new environment because this is not the first time it's happened. Even when she discovers this stringy finger tendon in her mouth mouth, she just brushes past it thinking, nah, I don't really want to know. Rave in a nutshell, everybody. She even notes that she hopes she didn't swallow the fingertip because there have been times where she's blacked out and woken up with a belly ache and a weird gamey taste in her mouth. That is so gross. Rave has no recollection of the events that happened after she burned Essie's body. She doesn't remember turning into the Other. So to wake up covered in blood and in a pickle, that is is definitely not ideal. She's like, damn, it happened again. These are not new to her. Wraith has accepted that these blackouts are her inner psychopath and is actually annoyed that the other outed her as a dual bead when she wielded Boulder's magic too. But back to her being chained up by Rek and his admittance of killing Essie to lure Rave out and how Rek is like, yeah, it wasn't personal until you bit off my finger. He lured Rave out to get answers since she ended up being unhelpful with leading him to the Fear Du ATH headquarters. So he wants to know what's her real name, where's the location of the flourish? And when she refuses to answer, Rek whips Rave. The scene where Rek gloats that he killed Essie and tortures Rae is pivotal for Rave and ingrains her need for revenge against Rex Sorrows. For the rest of this book, Rafe will be very one track minded. Kill Wreck and hey, guess what? She will get her wish by the end of this book. But this focus on righting the wrong that Rek has done will also be Rave resisting her own character arc work. She will cling to this revenge because it is in many ways safe. It is what she knows, it gives her purpose. It doesn't leave room for questions about her past or her identity or anything else that she does a great job with compartmentalizing and my heart hurts so much that Rave thinks that this is her penance for failing Essie. She deserves this pain that she is receiving. She deserves to suffer after being the reason the person she cares about is dead. And, oh, my gosh, poor Rave just. Oh, she's in such a dark place in this stretch of chapters. And she's coping with it because she thinks she's about to die.

[Nicole]

She's coping in a way that is so incredibly rave. And we'll talk about this more in favorite moments. But, like, her banter with Rexaros is actually some of my favorite comebacks in this entire book. And it's sad because it's entirely from her being like, I have nothing else to lose. And speaking of Rave. Oh, God, just being in a shit pickle. She's no stranger to this kind of torture. Under the scavenger king's imprisonment for an unknown amount of time, it gave her a very, very deep fear of fire. But like I was saying, the snarkiness that she's able to pull up from the dark depths of that icy lake of hers with that snarkiness, she feels like she's able to withstand anything. Well.

[Lexi]

And the way that the whip feels like a ribbon of flames because she

[Nicole]

associates torture with fire, this strong attitude that she has is 1000% motivated by the fact that if she tells Rec that he want, like, anything that he wants to know, specifically the Elding, the Flourish, the location, the entire fear do ATH is as good as.

[Lexi]

She doesn't even know that information.

[Nicole]

No, but.

[Lexi]

No, but Serene. Like, she could give him serene. Yeah, yeah.

[Nicole]

You could give him a nudge in the right direction.

[Lexi]

Exactly.

[Nicole]

She does. He's one step closer to destroying these people who, yeah, have definitely been like a phantom shackle, but they've also been her phantom shackle. Which, as much as Rae does hate Serene, she does not want to leave her to that type of fate, which I really commend. Rae Von. She's a very black and white thinker, and that's a little bit more of a gray area thinking.

[Lexi]

And there are other people who she does respect that would be in big, big trouble, like Ruz from the Curly Quill. And so really, I think of it as Rave. She's like, I'm not gonna rat out my other rebels because they are people that she, again, respects and cares about, even if Serene is not. But Serene has access to all these other people. And she's like, yeah, I hate the bitch, but no, none of them deserve this. Yeah, yeah.

[Nicole]

Rafe's lips are Shut. And she withstands the torture in the form of an iron whip from Wreck. Okay, I gotta say, this. This is horrific. Utterly horrific. And as someone who is literally writing a book about torture and the entire system around it, lines like, quote, I can feel the strips of me hanging loose are delic. Like, I live for that shit. That's so good. That's quite disturbing. I'll figure that out later. But also lines like how she's alone in a cell are heartbreaking because the last time she was alone in a cell was when Fallon died. And she was alone with Fallon's body. And I am honestly so impressed right now at how Rave does not lose her shit. I mean, obviously she is incredibly compartmentalizing a lot of things, but I'm. I'm very impressed by our girl right now.

[Lexi]

After the torturous whiplashing and blacking out, Rave wakes up in a location again. But at least this time, someone's concerned about her. The Woto in the cell next to her. And if you're like, what the heck is a Woto? I'm happy to explain. A Woto is a furry creature in this world with large paddled ears, long noses, prolonged teeth and whiskers. They are smaller than a regular Fae, about two thirds the size, and are prized for being able to steal things from tricky places, typically for their masters. Which is ironic, because this Woto named Rook was imprisoned for stealing as a way to p his master. But stealing in the Fade is not uncommon. Remember, friends, even amongst the Fae in the Undercity, many are forced to steal food to survive. And yet even still, Rave discovers, when dinner arrives for the prisoners, that even here, they have to sign for their food by name and thumbprint. So that way the Crown knows who to charge for the food if the prisoner ever makes it out alive. As if they would ever be in a position in the first place to pay back for it. They're probably in a cell for just trying to survive in the first place. Place that just really gives you an idea about the society and the Crown here and how the poor are looked at in this kingdom.

[Nicole]

In the opposite cell from Rave is a Truth Tune. Remember, a Truth Tune is a person with unique ability to tell whether or not a person is lying. And they are prized by the Crown specifically, and used to tell if someone is able to hear the Elemental songs or not. But this Truth Tune refused to help the Crown for their militia intent and was arrested sadly as a result. This is a huge deal, because the Crown relies on this magical Truth Tune ability To sort children from a young age into Elementals or Nulls. Many younglings who have just begun to hear the songs will lie in order to escape conscription. Oh yeah, because might I add that if you're an Elemental, you can also go straight into the army. When the children are taken from their parents, they're conscripted into the army training, and there is a high likelihood that their parents will never see that child again. As for the Nulls, they are forcibly held down and clipped against their will. So these truth tunes are literally having to sort these children. So go Truth Tune for saying no to the man.

[Lexi]

Yeah.

[Nicole]

Proud of you, Truth Tune.

[Lexi]

While Rave is bored out of her mind trying to guess which water droplet is going to fall first, a white robed Rooney comes in to visit Rock's cell. Surprise. It's Coin. But what could he possibly want with Woto? You see, an acquaintance of Khan's saw Rook heading into the sewers with a moon shard. Dun, dun, dun. And so Khan has been looking everywhere for Rook because he's trying to track down these moon shards. And then he heard Rook stole the wrong ring from the wrong mail. In exchange for this moon Shard, he's offering a saber scythe tusk the size of Khan's leg, which is a thicky leg there, everybody. And to purchase Rux sentence to have him out by the next rise. Real quickly, how the heck does he know that Rook still has this Moon Shard? Where would Rook still have this moon shard?

[Nicole]

Up his butt.

[Lexi]

Okay, Nicole, I'm so curious about how Rook is locked up as a punishment for his master. Is this master going to come back in the story? Back in chapter 13, Khan said the Fade Queen owes him a favor. Though that could be as easy as letting him in the city and not telling the King who is out of town. Or the Queen could have somehow gotten word about this moon Shard and alerted Khan about it. As I say this, I'm probably thinking too much into it, but this feels like such a random interaction. And it could be just as simple as gotta get Khan down to the cell.

[Nicole]

I'm leaning towards Gotta get Khan down to the cell. However, I do think that the favor he called in was being able to get into the city. Because I mean, this is not far from where Rave and Sly fell the moon. So I could absolutely see him wanting to get into the city so that he can search for moonshars at the scene of the crime, basically. So that's where I'm leaning towards how he cashed in that favor with the Queen. But what I'm curious about is how they're so buddy buddy. I really hope we get more of the Fade Queen next book where we see just how against her husband she is. I'm so excited for her stepping away from the Queen. And Khan though I. I was deeply concerned about this little woto Rook. Is he okay when he got released? Is he just basically tldr? Is he okay? So I maybe abused my power a little bit and I had to signal

[Lexi]

checking on the well being of characters. That's true.

[Nicole]

That's true. And I had to signal a Sarah about Rook and what happened to him. And here is what she says. Quote, I love him too and I miss him. We don't see him again in book two. No, but that's not to say that we won't see him again. I accept this answer.

[Lexi]

Me too.

[Nicole]

Yes.

[Lexi]

As if we wouldn't. I know. Reminder that Khan has been searching for all the moon shards of Slotra. Slowly but surely putting her moon back together these past 23 phases. In chapter 55 we learn that Khan has found all but a small crevice in Slotra's back that still needs to be filled. She smashed into thousands of moon shards when she fell Earthside and Khan had has painstakingly tracked them down and pieced them together again for dead Elowyn's sake. Because he knew that she would be so sad about this.

[Nicole]

Just as Khan the Rooney is about to walk out of the cells, he pauses and takes a deep breath. A deep sniff of the air and he turns his head slowly towards Rave. Surprise. Again. I want to speculate this moment and think about what possibly could be going through his mind. He's only before this seen half of Rave's face. That was five slumbers ago. In that time he's convinced himself he's going completely mad. It's not her. Of course it's not her. She's dead. But this is the first time he is seeing her face in full and he can deny it no longer. I love. That was a terrible plankton reference. I'm so sorry for any of my spongebob friends who are like Nicole, you could do better. I'm tired. I love this moment though where he really reaches up to the lock on her cell and literally pulls it off with his bare fucking hands. Yes, of course it's a like, look how strong and sexy this man is. But I actually think it's a good show. Don't tell of how desperate he is to see her when he finally gets a good look. A choked sound slips out of him. His hands tremble, and the only question he can ask is how?

[Lexi]

And this is when my heart shatters into a thousand moon shards.

[Nicole]

Yes, but understandably, this makes absolutely no fucking sense to Rave. She's also terrified he's conjured fire so she doesn't speak in this moment, in this state. He takes his trembling hand, punches the wall behind her head with so much force, and this time bellows the word, how now, before you're like, whoa, Con, calm it down. Let's take a look at this from his perspective. The last time he saw Rave in Full or Elowyn in Full, she was dead, flying up into the sky with Slotra to die amongst the moons. This was after she left him a letter saying that she decided Tyroth would be a better husband to her. And basically Khan wasn't enough to make her stay, which left him fucking heartbroken at both her death and her rejection of him.

[Lexi]

Remember, too, we know her rejection was to protect him and his sister Veya, because the Burn King their father threatened if Elowen did not comply with marrying the other Vega brother, he would make sure that Veya, who was her best friend, would die. Yeah, yeah, but he doesn't know his daughter like that. Yes, exactly. Khan does not know any of this. And Elowin needed even Khan to believe that the baby she carried was not his.

[Nicole]

Yeah, yeah. So, Healy, not only did she break his heart in the left, but she also broke his heart, married his brother, had a quote unquote baby with his brother, her, and then died. Yeah, he's fucking heartbroken. And then just to suddenly see her again, acting like she has no idea who he is. So of course he's angry.

[Lexi]

I think he's more so angry at the situation, not at her.

[Nicole]

I think eventually, absolutely, yes. But I think momentarily in this moment, I would be shocked if he wasn't angry at her, because he has no idea that this is an act, as far as he knows, knows she could have come back from the dead after A Hundred Faces and just has been ignoring him for 23 years and is now currently lying about knowing him. Though I 100% agree that then the anger completely shifts and it's not until the truth Tune pipes in and says how Rave is speaking the truth about not knowing what Khan is talking about. And that's when his pieces start sliding into place of, oh, she doesn't know who I am.

[Lexi]

I hadn't thought of it like that because I've just been Thinking he's processing how because he never imagined she would be alive. And again, this is him processing that this is even possible.

[Nicole]

Definitely here.

[Lexi]

Yeah. And I think all of it can all have a lot of feelings right now. Exactly.

[Nicole]

So he's not just like immediate to anger at her. I think there's like a million emotions and one of them is anger at her. Until the truth tune is like, hey, no, actually she's speaking the truth. And that's when Khan like, oh, I

[Lexi]

don't get the vibe that he's angry at her. It's more so like just angry, period. And I, I hear what you're saying. We're saying the same thing.

[Nicole]

I think we're saying the same thing. Yes.

[Lexi]

Because I definitely think he's mourned is different than he thought. And when he punches the wall, I feel like it's a little bit more him. Maybe this is me just really defending him here.

[Nicole]

Oh, absolutely.

[Lexi]

So overcome and unsure how to process this impossible reality. Maybe even wondering if he had considered she is alive, he could have saved himself decades of phases and found her again. Like he's been looking for the wrong things these past 23 phases when he could have found her alive. And it's a lot to take in.

[Nicole]

I, I think d all of the above. I think this is all true. Absolutely. And I, I, I don't think he's punching the wall because he's like, God damn it, Ray. Like, I don't think like, obviously, okay, good. Angry at her. I think it's like he's so just like overcome with so many things. But I think one of those feeling overwhelmed has to be anger at her because she's acting like she has no idea who he is. And obviously it's not an act when we're in Rafe's pov. But he doesn't know that. And so all of this to say, I wonder if one of the reasons he actually pulls out the Dragon Flame is because he wants to see if she was mended back to life or like, or that he's looking for something specific.

[Lexi]

Because by the time that he does pull out the Dragon Flame, the truth teller. Because the truth teller does. But in not. But in pretty. Yeah, it inserts that she's telling the truth.

[Nicole]

Yeah.

[Lexi]

Pretty quickly. So now he's like, okay, like a processing here. Like, let's look at this dragon sling. But yes, I absolutely think that's what it is.

[Nicole]

Definitely. And like, we'll talk about more of this, of this layer, especially when Bea comes into the picture. But I really do wonder if that's one of the reason he exhausted the fire. And obviously he could tell that she was scared and then changed it to the dragon fire instead.

[Lexi]

Yes, I think we're in agreement that he's looking for the literal how of this possible? Because he traces his finger on the scar on her forehead and he says, you've been mended. Ray does not remember getting that scar. So between her saying that and Khan having known about her head wound, but it was not healed, it means that this happened to Elowyn, probably on her dying day. So it's one more piece of the puzzle about what happened to Elowyn on her final day. This head wound that I'm going to assume was mended after she fell again. Maybe, or it was. I. We just don't know. And then of course there was also the knife stab that has no sign of mending. But we'll get to all that later on. I know we're talking a lot about Khan's POV here. And poor Khan for very obvious reasons.

[Nicole]

Well, because Rave is just like the. Are you talking about.

[Lexi]

Yeah, yeah. And from Rafe's pov, poor Rave through all of this too, because again, she has no idea who this guy is. She has no memory memory of him. And since his arrival in the cell, she's been very ashamed that he has seen her in this vulnerable, injured, chained up position versus swaggering, dagger to the crotch, holding person she was to him the other day. And then when he's got the fire close to her, she automatically thinks that he wants to torture her with it. That's what she associates with fire. She just wants a stranger who is having a tantrum in her cell to leave so she can be safe from his flames and apparently his anger here. Yes, Rave is afraid of him, despite her best efforts of trying to keep it hidden. Again, she doesn't want him to see her weak, or for anyone to ever see her like that for that matter. And he sees through her act. He sees through her hardened shell. This is only the beginning of him doing that. And we'll be talking a lot more about that next episode.

[Nicole]

So another cloaked figure sprints into the cell block and warns his sire that the guards are coming. Come again, sir? Yes, indeed. This Rooney standing in front of Rave is a king. But which one? Which one? Which one? The citizens of all three kingdoms know each king to be cut from the same vile cloth. That's not a good sign to be a Vhagor. Rafe takes a good look at this sire in front of her, she's seen Cadoc, who's the King of the Fade, where she currently resides, from a distance. So she knows that this is not him. The rumors say that King Tyroth is a cruel king who is the King of the Shaykh, her ex husband. And that king is cold. It is said his heart festers from the loss of his queen. Oh, the irony.

[Lexi]

I love this on a reread. I also wonder if Tyroth really leans into the loss of his queen Elowen, because it makes him seem like he has humanity and it connects him more with the Shade, since he is an outsider who bound the Shade's beloved princess who married the Shades beloved princess. Princess. And she died not long after their binding, AKA their marriage. And so him pretending to mourn her loss really does lean into that. Oh, my poor queen of the Shade. Well, I'm still your king.

[Nicole]

Exactly.

[Lexi]

And we do also get nods in chapter 13 that he does very much love his daughter to the point where he doesn't like her out of his sight. She's always escaping. And he's not necessarily a good dad by any means with that because we learn a few other things too. But he's got this facade that. I'm very interested to explore this character more.

[Nicole]

I'm wondering how much of a facade it is or if he is just someone who has like. Like, don't get me wrong, I definitely think he is an antagonist in this story. Yes, absolutely. Definitely. And I wonder how much of this is actually an act versus this is him saying, I am deeply in distress. And here's how I'm dealing with. With it. Does that excuse any of his behavior? No, no, no.

[Lexi]

He's still very much a cruel king. Oh, he's terrible. And it's interesting to. Yeah, because black and white capable of love.

[Nicole]

Yes, exactly. I love that in a villain. I love when they're complex and. And he thinks he's doing the right thing. Oh, my gosh. So the man in front of Rave here definitely could be Tyro. But there's also one brother left that is King Con Vhagor, rider of the ancient, ancient Saber scythe Rygon. And is rumored to be savage and bloodlusting. They say his dragon is. His dragon is too big to fit in any of these city hutches. Oh, sir. Oh, my goodness. And when it comes to the. When it comes to gore, he lets his beast hunt freely across the kingdom. Shut up, Lexi. And burn cities with his dragon fire. And feasts on the citizens. This is quite extreme. But this may be the stubborn ass right in front of her. Side note, I love that he says regarding his kinship. Like, is that a problem, Moonbeam? Because. Oh God, just add this to the things we love on a reread. The subtext here is delicious. He's shown not telling her that his father. He's saying like, I am the king is not a problem. He's saying that my father is dead. The guy who sold you off to Ty and is evil in your book

[Lexi]

is dead who would not let us be together.

[Nicole]

Yeah. And I am now the King of the Burn. Is that a problem?

[Lexi]

Ah, I did not catch this at all. Like, that's so good. You're so right. Because yes, his father was the King of the Burn when Elowen died. And his father was a very bad man. And Khan is probably really wanting to share this with his love for so long, but she's been dead. And so right now his eyes are even like glittering and he's like. And we're like, probably like very conflicted right now, but there's like a little bit of happiness where it's like, is that a problem, Moonbeam?

[Nicole]

Yeah, look what I did, honey. I did.

[Lexi]

I did.

[Nicole]

Well, and the other thing is he calls her Moonbeam for the first time and I'm wondering if this is a try and jog her memory, like giving like saying the name that he calls Elowyn. He also says, always so stubborn. And Ra is like, how dare you know me? He does. And this is a huge shift in his dialogue where he starts talking to. To her like, he does know her.

[Lexi]

I love then when the she gets like the whole like laundry list of how she killed everybody and then she's like says to him, like, wanna tussle?

[Nicole]

I know.

[Lexi]

Probably just like, oh, honey, I'm so proud of you.

[Nicole]

Well, because later when he sees Veya for the first time, he like says like, here's all the things that she did. And this is how he knew it was Elowood's. Like, that sounds about right.

[Lexi]

Well, because versus trained Elowin. Yeah, yeah.

[Nicole]

Yes. Well, and then of course we get the. Oh my God. The iconic. I found the most important peace line. I do wonder. This did make me wonder. He's been searching for the final pieces of Slotra. Has he been searching for pieces of Elowin and wondering why he hasn't been finding any?

[Lexi]

Maybe I guess I assumed that she would not calcify and she's just been like protected by the calcified moon. But I do love how he's like, the most important piece is in a very difficult to reach position. Yes. She is in a cell locked up by the Crown, who happens to be his brother.

[Nicole]

Yes.

[Lexi]

And so this is when he starts orchestrating to get her healed and out of here.

[Nicole]

The last thing about the scene is, as they're heading out, Rave notes how the ground is literally shaking beneath her. I love this foreshadowing because, yes, it's, it's, it's, it's foreshadowing of how he speaks to Boulder and that's one of his elemental songs. But I also wonder if this is show not tells or how Khan is so angry, happy, confused, furious, relieved that Boulder is literally reacting to him.

[Lexi]

That's. Yes, that's my guess. Like a nod to his power and his connection to the elements.

[Nicole]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Lexi]

Rave is led into an amphitheater where she is chained to a circular iron stage. More iron. Everybody in front of the Guild of the Nobles. Not everyone gets a trial with the nobles. Just those they can't decide between a public draw and quartering or being tied up in the Colosseum for the dragons who. Om nom nom. I'll be honest, between these two options, I would absolutely pick the dragons. But I'm gonna get into all that a little while. But it's not just the Nobles that are here to witness this trial. Commoners can pay to watch too. These are the people who enjoy watching the nobles unravel the lives of those on trial. Trial. Good thing Rave's here to put on a show today. If she's gonna die, she's gonna go down with insults and jabs.

[Nicole]

The Chancellor jumps right into things, informing Rave of her charges. According to Fade Law, anyone who can hear the Creator's songs, they are obliged to wear elemental beads. Probably something to do with the army and conscription.

[Lexi]

And not only and just knowing how powerful something is. Exactly. Yeah.

[Nicole]

Not only is Rave not wearing any beads, but she's also masquerading as a null and Rave can't even lie her way out of of the situation because they do have a truth tune calling her on her bullshit.

[Lexi]

Although I commend how she's able to dance around some of the questions with truthful non answers where she's like, don't you ever just wish the ground would open up and eat people? And it looks like my wife's,

[Nicole]

you know that truth too. And was like, but that's not all she's being accused of. Because she is also charged of murdering 25 crown soldiers and they bring out the evidence that that links to her multiple confirmed victims of the Fier Du ath. Gotta get those people who she carved into the evidence being that hand carving, which is unique because she had to teach herself how to write on a piece of coal in the cell with Fallon 23 phases ago. So her handwriting is very elementary, but of course it is. And as someone who also has elementary handwriting, I applaud you, Rave. Stick to your guns. She also kindly reminds them that she would also like it on the record that she bit off the tip of the of Rexaros finger. I fucking love Rave.

[Lexi]

In this trial with the Guild of Nobles, there is one person who was not here. The Fade King. Ah, yes. It's because he's in Drelgad overseeing the military. I love how Rave is so proud of the compliment that her victims were important, upstanding citizens of society and are crippling losses to the crown. It's like, well, yeah, that was the point. As a rebel group assassin, she's like, thank you so much.

[Nicole]

As it comes time to what Rave pleads, unsurprisingly, she pleads guilty in her mind, if she makes enough of a spectacle, which boy, oh boy, does she. This makes the Nobles be like, hooray, we got one of the ATH members and saved the day. And as a result, Wreck will be given someone else to chase and the ATH will be able to correct course away from the line of fire.

[Lexi]

And she's already worried they might be here at her trial. Some are something stupid. Yeah, like help her escape. Some are seeing her here and. And then later on Uno will come to try to save her. But of course we'll get to that here shortly. She is willing to fall on the sword for the others. Rave feels like that's what she deserves after failing Essie. And she knows that she is in deep, deep shit.

[Nicole]

Well, if, basically, if she goes out with such a huge bang and takes all of the attention, like, it makes it so that everyone's so focused on down with her that they're not down with the F. Down with the F. And it's. It's honestly kind of brilliant. I love that she's like, don't even just stop at what she did with her other options. Obviously she doesn't say the other in this moment, but like, she's like, don't just stop at the 25 people I killed. Let's also add on a few extra charges too. I love her.

[Lexi]

She's like, you got a quota?

[Nicole]

I hope you didn't fill the quota.

[Lexi]

So with her guilty of all charges, let's put it to a vote among the guild of nobles. All those in favor of her being drawn and quartered tomorrow morning. About half. Okay. This is the way she prefers to die. And if you're wondering what drawn and quartered means, I unfortunately googled it. And it used to be a medieval times punishment for high treason where the convicted traitor would be fastened by their feet and drawn behind a horse to the place of execution. And then there they are hanged almost to the point of death, but not actually to the point of death. Then they are emasculated, disemboweled, beheaded, and then quartered, with that last step of quartering done by tying each of the four limbs to a different horse and they take off. I mean, sure, that sounds preferable if you're terrified of five, which of course Rave is. And so this is how she prefers to die. But most other people choose the dragons because I would as well. It's like, no, no, I. I will be eaten by. By the dragons. Like, whatever that just was.

[Nicole]

Like, at least if you're burned alive, your nerve endings have to give out at some point. Like that is like. It's a. It's, it's a long time, but it, it's much. I would way rather be burned alive. Yes.

[Lexi]

So how about for all those in favor of feeding her to the dragons? Oh, look, the other half. Looks like we have ourselves a draw.

[Nicole]

A drawing corner, if you will. The entire time Khan is up in the mezzanine watching over this trial with a fierceness pause. Because I love how they're only calling her prisoner 73 this entire time, obviously, because they don't know her real name. And Khan doesn't either. If he did, he would be like, what the fuck? That's Rave. Are you like, Rave Elohin Rave? We'll find that out next episode. And I love that little note that she only goes by Prisoner 73 and

[Lexi]

he's going to be calling her that because he literally doesn't know what else to call her because she will not give him a name until obviously next episode. Yes, yes.

[Nicole]

Well, literally, even after he'll call her Prisoner 73 in moments where she is acting like Prisoner 73 and not Elwyn Rave. And I love that he switches up the name depending on. On who he's talking to in that moment. It's so good.

[Lexi]

Yeah. What she would respond best to, essentially. Yeah.

[Nicole]

And sometimes it is. Okay, prisoner 73, what do you need? And it's Like, I love him. Oh my God. But when it comes to this vote, this cloaked, strange king does something rather odd. He votes for her to be eaten by the molten maws. And that is the one that decides the vote.

[Lexi]

Come.

[Sponsor Voice]

Why?

[Nicole]

Let's talk about why. If he has dragons flying at her, while he has a much bigger dragon, he would be able to shoo the molten maws away. Obviously, he has a queen who helps him out. We'll get to that in a moment. But thus it would allow for Rygon to come in and om nom, nom nom, Rave and him fly out with her. So now I do wonder, jumping ahead a little, because that is how he gets her out of the situation. How did Cattoc react to this? Because he surely would have had to catch wind of it. Like, Rhygon is such a noticeable and recognizable dragon. He's a saber scythe. He's the biggest saber scythe. Now, people would know that that was Khan who swooped in and omnomnom nom nom, raped. So wouldn't that be considered an act of war?

[Lexi]

That is a very good point.

[Nicole]

Thank you.

[Lexi]

Maybe the queen was able to spin some story for the king that he would believe. And part because. Part of why Khan is in town right now is because his brother is gone, so he can be incognito. But you're right, his dragon is so recognizable. And in this moment, I bet he could. You know, he might have dropped Khan off and flew away earlier, but like right here, it's very obvious. And I'm also thinking too, wouldn't Khan have to be recognized in order to cast his vote as a noble here too?

[Nicole]

Well, the way I took it is anyone who's listening to this trial is casting a vote. Oh, that's how I took it.

[Lexi]

Okay, okay, yeah, but.

[Nicole]

But along those lines, like, because there are the nobles, the people who are watching, like the advisors to the crown were watching raves execution. So they would have seen Rygon come in. So I do wonder if this is actually a plot point that we're going to get back to in Book two, where it's like Caddock's like, what the fuck? Like, and he's actually starting to retaliate against Khan despite him and Veya not wanting that war to start yet. All of this to say, it's way easier to save Rave if he's able to swoop in with a dragon and get her and yeet out of there, versus if she's literally tied up to horses and him having oh, no, he. He would not be able to help her. No, like, that would be so much harder.

[Lexi]

That would be him having to jump in himself. And that was a lot easier here with the train.

[Nicole]

It's way easier. So that is why he voted. Let's have her be eaten by molten moths instead.

[Lexi]

Rave is back in her cell, singing the Ballad of the Fallen Moon while the other prisoners sleep. But Khan has other plan in mind. He unlocks her cell and removes her shackles before leading her out of her cell and to a healer, to a flesh thread. If I was in Rave's position, I would absolutely be freaked out too, just like she is, thinking he had very, very bad intentions. But it's Khan, so thank goodness we love Khan. He's already planning on breaking her out before she gets eaten by the molten boss. And for that to go as smoothly as possible, he needs her in good health. And right now, she is anything but that. Her back is ripped to shreds and they keep reopening, oozing blood. She is we slowly dying from her injuries and the infection that it's caused and we can't have that for our escape. Plus, he loves her and he doesn't want to see her in pain like this. But obviously he cannot tell her that. He's walking such a very careful line with his love, who does not know who he is. And he still doesn't understand how any of this is possible, but he just needs to focus on the outcome right now, which is get her out of here, get her healed, get her to

[Nicole]

save safety, and then we'll figure the rest out. You know how last episode I talked about how Rave doesn't want to accept Essie as family because relying on anyone else basically equates to a death sentence for them. In Rave's mind, imagine that belief has just like rock hard cemented even more so in her mind, and this time it's extending to anyone who is offering her any kindness at all. Rave is allergic to help, plain and simple. And here, like you're saying, Lex, I do not blame her at all for pushing, pushing this incognito king away. She believes all Vagors are evil. We talked about that earlier. She believes the only reason that this person would want to take her out of her cell is to do unspeakable things while she's shackled up. She lives in Gore. This is very regular, sadly for males to take advantage of females where she lives well. And also he's leading her somewhere and she's like, yeah, no thanks. Think of how many times she, as an assassin, has lured people into dark ruins and then killed them. A vagar, a tyrant, a lying tyrant. Fuck, yeah. He would absolutely do that. Yet she still follows him into her room. I love that. That's like this subconscious. She knows internally to trust him, even though she's like, yeah, no thanks. She enters the room with a mender's palette, which is not giving the I'm going to kill or hurt you, Vi. Especially not when she starts getting mended by Ba.

[Lexi]

When the flesh thread finally sees Rave's body to begin healing, she is shocked to the point of tearing up. But this is not her reaction to the damage on Rave's back from the whip from the most recent injury here. Bea the healer here to help is not just a flesh thread where one uses runes to heal the body. Bea also has the power of Dragon Sight, meaning that even without Dragonfight, she can see the old runes that cover Rave from neck to navel. The runes that show Rave has been healed over and over and over and over and over again from her torture while imprisoned by this scavenger king. This is exactly why Rave made Khan leave his Dragon Flame at the door, so he would not be able to see how damaged she physically has been before. And little did she know when she made this request of him, that Bea had the unique and very rare ability of Dragon Sight, so she can see it anyway. Rave does not want Khan to know about her past mended injuries, and Bea does respect that decision, instead lying to him that the slashes are worse than she was expecting. Which actually is true too, Though that's not why she was shaken when it's time to heal her back. Khan is so respectful at every step, never looking anywhere but at Rave's eyes. I love her little white flag analogy too. And when Bea starts the process of healing her, it's not Rave. She warns of the pain, but Khan. Khan. She knows that Rave has been through this before and she understands how painful this is going to be. My heart. And Rave is just like, not used to having someone else here with her. It's always only been her and the Rooney healing her to be tortured over and over again. And she'll have Khan right here with her the whole time.

[Nicole]

She might be like, I still want

[Lexi]

to kill you, but I'm still waving my white flag and please hold my hand. It might be weird for her, but in hindsight, knowing what we know, I'm just like, oh, a con. Her subconscious knows that he is safe, knows that he is her center Her. Her grounding center there. And she, in a moment of vulnerability, lets down that wall to accept that help. And I'm.

[Nicole]

I'm proud of her.

[Lexi]

Love them so much.

[Nicole]

I know. Oh, my God. So going to this mending and these runes that she has all over her body that Bea can see. We've got to talk about. About this. Later in the burn, we will meet Agni, who also has Dragon Sight, who will see many, many, many runes on Rave's skin. One in particular that is a killing wound. We will talk about that more when we cover that stretch of chapters in the podcast. But in this moment, when Bea is looking at Rafe's chest, that means she's seeing the killing blow that was mended. And that's why she's blinking away away tears. In this moment, really appreciate that she listens to Hippa and she honors the Hippa and she keeps this information away from Khan at Rave's request. But it wouldn't be fantasy fangirls if we didn't speculate a little bit. Just a teeny, tiny little bit. Who do we think struck this blow? Was it Tyroth? Was Elowyn herself. And she killed herself. Was. But how was then it mended? Like, we know it glows silver like Slotra. So did the Moon Plume Healer.

[Lexi]

That's what I think. Because there's no mending rune associated with this death blow. It like just. That would literally kill somebody. So it's unknown how it was mended. I love that idea. With Slasha or like I was saying last episode, it could be Kahless's power that's tied to what we know about Aether in the real world.

[Nicole]

Wait, what about.

[Lexi]

Sorry.

[Nicole]

Both are silver because Kahless's book of. Book of Rune. Rune Runes is silver. Silver.

[Lexi]

Is it?

[Nicole]

It's a silver book. Yeah.

[Lexi]

Yes, well, and so Kazari could have caused her mother's moon to fall and it brought her back to life somehow. That same magic did that too. Again, they were up there for a hundred phases together like. Like that. Like, that's really how I think that the other is now part of her too. And all of that. And that might be also where it's like Slatcher's spirit has to be within her for her to be alive as well, or something like that. Like that.

[Nicole]

I could also see a world in which it somehow is both. Like, you know, sometimes with our theories, we're like 80% correct. But then there's this 20 where they. Like this one twist. I could see this being One of those where we're like, we're 50, 50% correct, and then it just melts together to make 100% like, I love it. I love it. Oh my God. And. But also, this makes me wonder. We only know about a few runes on Rave's body. There's many, many runes. What other entries did she withstand that we don't know of? And it just. It breaks like, no wonder Rave is such a difficult fmc. I know some people get really frustrated with her because of how headstrong she is and how allergic to that help and how she won't let her guard down. But like, it's reasons like this where it's like, I'm sorry. It makes so much sense why she's like, nah, I'm good. I don't need anything from you.

[Lexi]

I'm going to die anyway. I don't want to do all this. Yeah. A little later, healed and back in her cell, Rave is very aware that no one does something like this. That Khan has paid this healer to help her like this and do all of this. Nobody does that without ulterior motive. Though Rave does note that the Incognito King seems to have a weird obsession with taking her pain away. I wonder why? And she apparently reminds him of someone. It's very obvious, right? So, yeah, the asshole probably just needs to feel better about himself and make right with whoever she reminds him of so he can be like, ah, I did something good. Good for me. That's such a Rave thing to think. And it makes absolute sense again, thinking about just how tough life is. There's a waggle of distorted air, no taller than knee height. And what's this? There is a furry white creature with pale pink skin on her face, neck, legs and arms. A muskin. And yes, the muskin can speak. Hello. Ooh. Uno. We were first introduced to Uno at the Curly Quill. And Uno is very attached to Ruse, who is the owner of the Curly Quill and also works for Serene. It appears Uno as a muskin, can be invisible too, or transport herself from one place to another.

[Nicole]

Ugh. But it dawns on Rave that there's only one reason that Uno is here. If Uno saves Rave, then. Hip hip hooray. They saved the Elding's favorite blade. Huzzah. But they would have to replace her because the Crown, or like the Guild of Nobles, they're out for blood. They want this person to die. And what other Fjorduath member would be sent to this molten moth's death sentence? Now, which makes me Wonder why Serene ordered this Or. Or if she even ordered it in the first place. Like, did the Elding order this? Which again, why is he so? Why are you so obsessed with me, Elding? Who are you? I want to know so bad.

[Lexi]

I think. Yes, definitely. Because she's the favorite and they do take care of their own. Except for the person who would die in her stead. Yeah, but they did already plan to sacrifice a Fear to ask for Wreck to target, but none of that went according to planned, so I will reword this. They take care of their favorites.

[Nicole]

They definitely take care of their favorite favorite.

[Lexi]

Because she doesn't want to be one of the favorites. She doesn't want to have a higher statistic understanding than other people because she doesn't feel like she deserves that.

[Nicole]

Well, and she also. This goes against everything she believes in. Think about how she is so against Innocence dying in the Undercity and how she arranged this entire thing with Tariq Relicant last episode. She is so not that person. And so this infuriates her because it means another's death in her stead. But also this also means Uno is in great danger to retrieve her. And as a result, Rude must be out of her mind with worry. And remember, Ruz is the owner of the Curly Quill because she looks after Uno as if she's a daughter of hers. Now if the Fear do ATH succeed and they do swap her out, that wouldn't be it though. Like not in the slightest. They would have such a level of down with Rave as much as possible as seeing her as an assassin, making fun of the Chancellor's microcock on stage. Like they would want to see her exact justice. Also, they saw her as what she was with the other and how powerful she is as a dual bead, a crazed skilled assassin. Like they would stop at nothing to find her. They would double down their hunt. Meaning going after everyone Rave has ever interacted with. And that is all the Miskin needed.

[Lexi]

Because yes, Rave purposefully brings up Ruz because she knows that will get Uno's attention more than anything.

[Nicole]

And with this, a very vision suddenly flashes in Uno's mind. Pause. Because Miskins can see flashes of the future that might possibly come to pass. Is it a fail proof system? No way. Absolutely not. But it's enough to have Uno see the future that could happen. And that future is Serene and Ruze are dead, dead, dead. So yeah, Uno is suddenly like, maybe not.

[Lexi]

I'm a little bit confused about how they would switch somebody out out with Rave because they would know it is not Rave, obviously, because that would cause the whole manhunt for her, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of putting someone in her stead. Yeah, yeah, okay, we're just gonna read over that part. Sounds good. So based on this vision Uno has while in Rave cell, it is clear that the best course of action is to actually let Rave stay here and go to her death tomorrow. I feel like this is such an interesting interaction. Interaction. Is this in the story as a nod to the fear du ATH trying to get Rave out? That's my best guess here. Or maybe we needed this direct interaction with a musket and a creature and see what they're capable of with sneaking in here and having visions as a way to tee us up for something in the future. Because according to Rave, even moons fall. So this is a symbolic way for Uno to honor Rave's mighty fall, even when no one wants her to fall. This is Uno sending Rave off to her death, essentially saying, I'm so sorry, we don't want this for you, be strong kind of thing there. And it's really touches Rave because she understands that. And when Uno draws a coal across Ray's forehead with the moon, she says that this feels right. Little does Uno or Rave know that the reason it feels right is because this way she will escape. But it's just so symbolic that Uno is drawing a moon moon on rave.

[Nicole]

TL Dr. I really am gonna miss Uno. Got like, not gone too soon because Uno's still alive as far as we're concerned, but, like gone from the story too soon. Especially because you and I are thinking we are gonna spend more time in the fade next book with Elding, with all of the flourish and things with the fear duath not feeling in any way complete. I hope we see Uno again. I love her.

[Lexi]

We, a fantasy fangirls, appreciate your support so much as we take a quick break for our spin sponsors.

[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Nicole]

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[Lexi]

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[Hayden]

Everyone deserves to be connected. T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Our networks are coming together bringing more T Mobile coverage all over over the country. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20 versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is available in a US cellular store near you bigger network. The combination of T mobile's and US cellular's network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage. Savings versus comparable Verizon plans plus the costs of options, benefits, plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third free line free via monthly bill credits Credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required. Howdy, howdy ho and welcome to Fantasy Fan Fellas. I'm Hayden, producer of the Fantasy Fan Girls podcast and your resident lover of all things Sanderson.

[Stephen]

And I'm step bookish Internet goofball, but you can call me the Smash Daddy.

[Hayden]

And we are currently deep diving Brandon Sanderson's fantasy epic Mistborn. But here's the catch. Steven here has not read Mistborn before.

[Stephen]

That's right. Hey hey. So each week you'll get my unfiltered raw reactions to every single chapter.

[Hayden]

And along the way we'll do character deep dives, magic explainers, and Steven will even try to guess what's next. Spoiler alert. He'll be wrong.

[Stephen]

News flash. I'm never wrong. Episodes come out every Wednesday and you can find Fantasy Fanfellas wherever you get your podcast. Podcasts Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone Paying Big Wireless Way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get Premium Wireless for just 15amonth. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments, but that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway, give it a [e-mail] switch upfront payment of 45 for

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[Lexi]

Upon Aurora rise, time for Rave to face her execution. Death by dragons. Rave is escorted to the Coliseum with a parade of guards and past rows of silent onlookers. Along the route. There are also strategically placed soldiers keeping an eye out for anyone who might want to rescue Rave. Ah yes, because they're also hoping she's bait to draw out the fear to ath. But Rave knows that they will not be here to save her. Not after Uno's vision. And Rave understandably thinks that she has to die to save the others. She's honestly just sad that she won't be around to see this kingdom restored to its former glory. Because she might hate Serene, but she trusts her to make it happen. And hey, at least she has that kernel of hope for the future society as she marches toward her death again, illustrating that she puts up these emotional Walls to save others and help them others. During this walk, she is also doused in some sort of animal blood to make her more appealing to the molten moths. Yummy. Inside the Colosseum, Rave is chained to a wooden stake in the center of a stage that is also covered in snow. Because we are in the Fade after all, where it snows. She is bound so tight she can barely take a full breath. But she's not going to fight this. Rave has accepted that her fate is sealed. This is over. Her path has always led her here based on being an assassin and a rebel. Besides the soldiers, the Imperial box also seats the Queen of the Fade. But like her trial, the King is not here. And what's this? The Queen recognizes who Rave is. Her eyes flash with shock. Or maybe it's disbelief recognition. We're in Raves limited pov so she does not have any idea that the Queen indeed does recognize her as Elowen, who she used to be friends with 23 phases ago, before Elowin against death. Good thing the King's not here or he would have recognized her too. I wonder what the Queen of the Fade is thinking here. She's crying as she works towards saving Rave. Maybe it's a thought of oh my God, she's actually alive. Like Khan with the How. I wonder how much she knows about Rave's last moments. It would have been known that her moon was up in the sky and then it fell. Ah, I just want to learn so much more about this Queen. I will say it's interesting stating that the Queen is not able just to call off this whole thing. She has to resort to using her elemental magic to try and protect Rave and save her. It really goes to show how little power females have in this government.

[Nicole]

Yes, absolutely. Speaking of the Queen and her powers, as the dragons are starting to land on top of the coliseum, the wind starts blowing around Rave. When Rave turns her head to shield herself from the spill and the smoke of the dragons, she sees up in the Imperial Box that the Queen is clutching the railing and screaming at the soldiers. So I love that the Queen isn't just like using her magic, she's also like fighting back. I agree with you completely. What is she thinking? Like we know later in diary entry that they meet and quickly interact. So I definitely think it's like some version of you're supposed to be dead the how like you're saying. But oh my God, I hope we see her next book. The Queen's eyes are wide and manic as she's talking To Chloe. I do wonder. What do you think? She's yelling at these soldiers. Like, this is.

[Lexi]

I was wondering. Tries to stop it, but she's not able to.

[Nicole]

But I wonder if she's asking or she's yelling like, that woman shouldn't be here. She's obviously not outing Elowyn. Right. Or else again, Catac would know that Elowyn is alive, which means Tyroth would find out. But this, this is a good question because again, like, there's so many questions around this. Okay. Tl Doctor, do you think that the twins are going to find out that Rave is alive and in book two?

[Lexi]

Yes, I imagine so. Yes.

[Nicole]

I as well. So no bet today. But I. I just. Again, I hope we get more of this queen next book especially. I could see her come to con side. Like if there's some way she can do that.

[Lexi]

Oh, I think she's already on con side and like more public.

[Nicole]

I'll say, like more physically on con side versus like working undercover.

[Lexi]

I think that's what she would be doing.

[Nicole]

Oh, okay. So the air around Rave becomes a Cyclope clone of snow and ice. And the stake she is tied to begins wobbling again. All I see is Attack of the Clones Padme just like doing like air flips and stuff like that. The dragons on the roof are pushed back into the sky when Rave and the queen lock eyes again. The queen is full on sobbing, but she's also smiling. And that's when Rave realizes the queen is trying to protect her and scare off the dragon dragons. Thanks, Queen. Appreciate ya.

[Lexi]

I had to read this several times because I was so utterly confused. I was like, wait, is what I think happening happening? But I love again, on a reread, it makes perfect sense.

[Nicole]

We were talking to our cousin Ashley and she was texting us right after she read this part. And she's like, I don't understand shit about fuck. What's happening? I don't know. Suddenly though, the sun is blocked by the largest saber scythe of them all. And it looks lands on the coliseum floor, extending its wings out.

[Lexi]

Okay, so here's another question. Do you think that the queen knew to help Khan here? We do know that they're close. He already said she owes him a favor. So they've been in communication already with him coming here this trip. And while I don't think that the favor that she owes him is directly related to Rave, they seem like they're close enough where he could probably trust her to be like, hey, I need your help with something. And maybe her seeing Rave seen Elowyn again is her being like, oh my God, Khan is right. Or she naturally knows that he'll swoop in and save her because she does know that he is already in the city. Or maybe none of that and she was just hoping for the best as she made the molten Maz go away with her wind.

[Nicole]

I am leaning towards this is like the fates aligned, thank God sort of situation. But you make a good point because clearly she didn't know that it was Elohin or else she would not have had this level of reaction.

[Lexi]

Correct? Yeah, she just. So. Oh, okay. Yeah, so I

[Nicole]

indeed. The dragon extends its head down into the Colosseum and blows a searing hot breath on her. Not fire by any means. This causes something to shift in Rave. She feels like there's something blasting up from the depths of her internal lake like a net that swallows her heart. Slotra. Hello, Slotra. She's like my kin.

[Sponsor Voice]

Yay.

[Nicole]

Maybe if we're going back to the ballad of the Fallen Moon, like Slotra, that might be the story of them. This feels like claws are gripping her and injecting her with a song that sits on her tongue like a ball of icy flame. Slotra. This is literally Slotra. The song beats a rhythm with her heart and her voice cuts through the chaos. The language is not the common tongue, but something different, like a dragon language. Something that Rafe doesn't understand. And she even. Even notes that she should probably question it. I did not get any of this on my previous reads, by the way. The dragon blinks at her, tipping its head to the side as she sings in this foreign language as if it's listening to her. But as quickly as the hope comes that, you know, maybe this dragon won't eat her, the saber scythe roars up into the sky moments before scooping her into his mouth and flying away. And that's how Rave died. The end. Just kidding. That's how she finds her new home for the next stretch of to flight. This would smell terrible. Like I love my puppy, but like if I was inside her mouth, like, oh my God, that would be so gross. And she's young. This is a third dragon and I don't think he's getting his teeth brushed very much.

[Lexi]

Little does Rave know that she is being flown to safety instead of to the Burns hatching grounds. Like she understandably thinks right now. Ah, I can't wait to explore more of Rave and Khan's dynamic next. Next episode.

[Nicole]

Next episode. Like the lake scene. I love a lake Scene in a book. Oh my goodness. They're so good. Oh my gosh. I can't wait. All right, let's move into our diary entries section of the episode. We kick off the diary entries back with nine phase old Elowyn, who is on the outskirts of the moonplume hatching grounds, Netheren, with her brother and his stolen moonplume egg that she is having to care for.

[Lexi]

Why?

[Nicole]

Why? Because Hadeon was found sleeping at the bottom of a crevice cuddling his egg. Obviously, I don't think he was fully sleeping. He was. He was unconscious. And it comes out that Hadeon from this injury is unable to move his legs.

[Lexi]

My guess is he fell from a cliff or something, which is how he got to the bottom of the crevice. And he most likely broke his back. So he's unable to move. There would have to be something where a flesh thread would not be able to heal this as well once. When he does come home, though, again, it doesn't explain why he's sleeping so much in the days that follow. I suppose actually he's unconscious the entire time. Huh? Yeah.

[Nicole]

Okay, so we wanted to know exactly how Hadeon got injured, slash how this happened to him. So we actually signaled to Sarah asking if she could share anything about Hadeon's injury and how this happened. And she said, quote, he fell when he was climbing back down from the nesting perches. He landed on his back because he was protecting the egg, hugging it it close to his chest as he fell. Oh, he neon.

[Lexi]

So you're saying I was right?

[Nicole]

You are. You were right, Lexi. Congratulations. There's your gold star. Now, this is a pivotal moment in Lexi and Elowin's life. Before this, she has been the younger sister, not Lexi. Defiant and strong. But this is one of the first times that Elowyn has to fully care for another person. She is 9ft days old and she's helping her brother stay warm, moving all their things to this makeshift hatching hut that she's created, ensuring his egg is safe while he heals. This is a new core belief when it comes to Elowyn and Rave. Actually, I have to be strong for others. Their well being is my responsibility. And oh boy, does that carry through the phases.

[Lexi]

We also know that Elwyn is refusing to leave her brother, even if he doesn't wake up, because she cannot bear to leave him on his own. She's like, if he can't leave here, then I'm not going to either. Later on, Hadrian's moon plume will Go up into the sky and become a moon with him. Because she does not want him to ever be alone, knowing how much Hadean hates being alone. So she sacrifices her life and ends her own life so that she and him can be together up as a moon. But here in the freezing cold southernmost part of the world, young Elowen builds a snow hut to keep them safe and warm while they wait for his dragon egg to rock so she can pack ice around it like you're supposed to when hatching. The biggest moonplume Elwyn has ever seen keeps searching the sky and screeching as if she's hunting for them. She's silver like this moonplume egg. So we can gather it is the mother of this dragon egg. But it's not. Not just the moon plume. A pack of doom quills. Which are those like wolves by the way? I don't know.

[Nicole]

I have no idea. I figured doom quills. Like when I think of quills I think of obviously like a writing instrument, but then I think of feathers and then I think of birds.

[Lexi]

So then I think I'm thinking more. I'm gonna go with the wolf.

[Nicole]

What about wolf birds?

[Lexi]

Wolf fur pig. Nicole, this is not Shield of Sparrows, okay? A pack of Doom Quills. So I'm just going to imagine those as wolves. That is my personal imagination here.

[Nicole]

Flying wolves Flexi.

[Lexi]

Flying wolves seem to be hunting for them too. And if the Doom quills attack, she will have to use the dragon skill dagger for the first time. And Elowin doesn't want to kill anything. Oh, the irony. As Rave in the present day is on trial for a last lots and lots of murders. When the Dooms Quill do end up attacking, Elowen fights them off until this mother moonplume swoops in, torches the creatures and saves Elwyn Hadeon and the hatching egg. When little Elwyn holds on really tight to the mature dragon and sings a soft song to do what she has to to get home. The dragon listens and bonds with her. Hello, Slatcha. Note that she is the mother of Hadean's dragon. Dragon who will be an adolescent when she takes a dead Hadean up and becomes a moon. Just like Slotra will do a few phases later with a dead Elowyn. Another reason for them both to love this moon. It's both Slotra's family and Elowen Rafe's family. Which by the way, it is crazy for a mature dragon to bond. And Elowen is nine phases old. This is a big fucking Deal. And I think really speaks to her connection with the dragons and in particular and her ability to sing the creator's songs that the powerful dragon responds to, respects and admires. Because this is the first time that she will be singing her songs and when she's able to hear the creator sing too.

[Nicole]

So while we're on Elowyn's moon plume, I was curious because as Elowen's looking up at Slotra before she bonds her, it's noted that Elowyn's moon plume, Slotra, looks a lot like Nathae, which is her mother mother's moon plume. So I was wondering if they are related and if so, does it mean for anything for bonds with moon plumes that are related, like Elowen and Hadeon with Slotra and Ellum.

[Lexi]

And also we do know later on too, that her mother's moon plume will be super moody and broody.

[Nicole]

Yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Lexi]

Like bringing rocks in or something like that. Yeah.

[Nicole]

So we signaled a Sarah about this and here is what she said. So the question was, are Slotra and Elowin's mom's moon plumes related? Is there any extra connection when it comes to related moon plumes? Sarah said, quote, they aren't. No, but there is a connection, quote unquote, between all moon plumes that we get to explore a touch more in book two.

[Lexi]

Okie dokie.

[Nicole]

What? So I think Take me on a journey, Sarah. Well, I think you're on it with something about Illum's moon and Slotra and Rave and how they're so connected to Hadeon, obviously because it's her brother, but also because that's Slotra's child. Like that's Slotra's kin. Like that's, that's, yeah, that's the egg she created in the sky. So I, I. Oh my God, I'm spiraling. Continue.

[Lexi]

Okay. Before Elowin traveled south and accidentally bonded with slavery Slatra, she could not hear the Creator's songs, try as she might. But when she does escape on Slha bonding with her, that is when the creators now want to shut up. We can strongly assume, based off the prologue, that the creators get this familial line with the Aetherstone responsibility, extra powers where they can hear all four elements and therefore have the life force and the strength for the Aetherstone to feed off of them. While the first Fae warrior to bear the Aetherstone was male, at least the past several generations have been through the maternal line. As far as we know, the only way to keep Kahless contained is by this feeding of the elemental wielding descendant. And the reason he's contained is to keep the moons in the sky.

[Nicole]

So one of the things I was wondering if Bonding Slotra was actually what jump started Elowen being able to hear the elemental songs. It is interesting that she's nine when she's able to hear them for the first time, which is already Earth early. But then Kazari was literally just born and she could hear them well.

[Lexi]

And I think Kazari is so unique. Like that is a huge Easter egg about how unique Kazari is with how she does hear them right away. And I do think that we will learn why. And yes, I do think that it'll be tied to the prophecy too. But I think that moment with Slasha was Elowin in dire need and her powers flowed through her for the first time. That's very fantasy, right? Her powers, she's been blocking finally come to her in a moment of need, or not even that she's been blocking, but the creators have not gifted her that and. Exactly. And in that moment the creators were like, okay, here you go, Elowin.

[Nicole]

All at once. There you go, kid. All right, it is time for a time jump. Let's do the time warp. Elowyn divine is now 18 phases old and apparently mature enough to be marketing off for marriage, which she equates to slaughter. That tells you everything you need to know about her feelings on marriage. Tradition in this world tradition is that once a princess turns 18 phases old, she is bound with a male. And then he would basically take over as king of her kingdom. Now why not Hadeon? I'm assuming it's because he doesn't sing any elemental songs, which as we know from from at least Austrian Vagor, that's like a very high prized thing in a ruler. But I also wonder if it's because of the aftermath with Netheren.

[Lexi]

That's my all of that. Yes, yes, I do think so. Yeah. Because for instance, he doesn't seem to be a gifted Rooney at all. But I don't think that it's a coincidence that he is also poisoned and taken off the board. So he would not be a threat whatsoever to the Vegas to the vagors.

[Nicole]

Yeah, yeah, 100% absolutely. King of the Burn Ostren Vhagor Khan's daddio has come to visit and basically wants to have her PA sign off on an arranged marriage bind between Elwen and Tyroth Vhagor, one of the twins of the Vhagors. His external reasoning. Oh, because the Shade needs agricultural produce that he as the Burn King can produce and supply. His internal reasoning. Have his sons rule over every single one of the kingdoms. Have he or his sons? I should say, because Khan, he doesn't want to rule.

[Lexi]

Yes. Luckily though, Elowin's father, the King of the Shade, will not make her marry the burned king's cruel son. He calls his daughter remarkable and teases her for having a foul mouth. And ultimately he listens to his daughter and respects her autonomy, which again, in this patriarchal society shows how her father, her family in the the Shade were different. It's kind of a big deal. And if he has a good heart with his family, that probably trickles down to his kingdom and shows us how the previous King of the Shade led his people better than the Vegars. That's what excluding Khan, obviously.

[Nicole]

Well, so here's a few takeaways that I want to open up from this episode's diary entries. Ella One, as a 18 phases old, is working on stretching out a loom's wing, which is Haitian Leon's moonplume, who can't open her wing. I'm assuming that maybe when they when he fell, like something in the egg was cracked. Exactly what I'm thinking.

[Lexi]

Nemo style. Yeah.

[Nicole]

Oh, Nemo. Oh my gosh. But finally, Ellum launches open her wing and Elowyn is flung back. Whee. But when Elowen finally opens her eyes, Elume is fluttering throughout the sky and lighting her silvery glow across the darkness. She's finally flying for the first time after nine years.

[Lexi]

Years.

[Nicole]

And then Hadeon, who was a whole new Then Hadeon, who's been silent and basically unresponsive for nine phases. Oh my God, I want to cry. He's looking up at the sky and smiling. And then he looks at his sister and says thank you. The first words he's spoken in nine phases. That is so beautiful.

[Lexi]

Oh, Nicole, I'm crying.

[Nicole]

And how Elowen's like, this is the first time I feel remarkable, like, because it's something that she has caused beauty for another person. And I'm just like, oh my God, I just think that's so beautiful.

[Lexi]

And how at long last he gets to fly and it makes him start to come alive. He does not have any use of his legs. And now he gets to go and fly on his moon plume, just like he's always wanted. Just like what he risked by going to Netherlands. Exactly, exactly. And he has not felt probably worthy. And he's probably felt A sense of guilt because of the wings with his dragon. And now they're both healing together.

[Nicole]

God, I love this side note. A loom in French means lit. I kind of think of it as like a loom and Hadeon go become a moon. They're able to light up the sky. And how here, where she's silver, she's flying around and she's lighting up the sky with her first flight. She lights up Hadeon's life.

[Lexi]

It's just.

[Nicole]

Oh my God, it's so beautiful. There's so many much. I want Hadeon to come back into the story, but obviously he is very dead. Alum is very calcified in the sky. But man, I wish their story wasn't done. All right. We learned that Elowyn's dad grew up in the Boltanic plains.

[Lexi]

Yes.

[Nicole]

We need to talk about this because this feels important.

[Lexi]

So the botanic planes are in the burn, and it's also where Rave ends up for the Tuka trials. Yes. So what if this somehow ties with the Fate Herder of her father's culture, Right?

[Nicole]

Yeah.

[Lexi]

Because her father's bloodline traces back to these origins, so she's tied to their prophecies and such. What if he ended up marrying the princess of the Shade who would bear the Ether Stone because his descendants would be essential to saving the world? Might be a stretch. That'd be some serious chess playing.

[Nicole]

But maybe meanwhile I'm like you end up with someone like your parents. Okay, I wanted to shoot my shot here and I decided to signal with Sarah about Elowyn's dad and if she was able to discuss anything around how he ended up as King of the Shade.

[Lexi]

Oh, please let me be right again. I love.

[Nicole]

Well, sorry to just shut you down, Lex. She said, quote, not at this time. No. Meaning she can't share anything at this time. I want to keep their love story close to my chest, since it may one day find its way onto the page. And then she did a little winky face.

[Lexi]

Course she did.

[Nicole]

I love her. Soften the blow up.

[Lexi]

No, but that's really cool and very exciting.

[Nicole]

I love that they have a whole love story in mind. Oh, yes.

[Lexi]

Elowin sings a soft, calming song. And I can't help but wonder if it's Rave's calming song.

[Nicole]

I just assume that it is. I assume it is.

[Lexi]

And if that's the case, maybe Ballad of the Fallen Moon is much older and was a favorite of Elowin's two. Let's tap into our dragon sight. And to try turn Our full attention to important foreshadowing moments for the rest of this book and speculations for book two, Bout of falling dragons.

[Nicole]

Well, okay, so this deep dive has really calcified. It's made a moon out of how much I believe we are in the lead up to the Flourish. And what is going to happen with this. Wreck saying how he wished the rune note Levi gave her took him to the Flourish and how the crown wants the Elding and how she doesn't want Serene to be in danger because, quote, if this monster, meaning Wreck, got a hold of the vial that hangs around her neck, so many others I respect would fall victim to the crown. I'm gonna ask point blank, do you think this is good? This could happen.

[Lexi]

I could see this being very, very bad. I feel like this book, it really is a big setup book. How book ones typically are in a trilogy.

[Nicole]

Well, that's how she. She. This was originally part one of book one.

[Lexi]

That's right. That's right. And so I think think that a lot of this is set up for the rebellion group, the Fear Du ATH and Easter eggs for what is going to be important later on and. Absolutely. The Flourish and the crown hunting down the rebels and the military and like there is so much going on in the background here and not background, but you know what I mean. Right. And the story itself is Elwyn slash Rave and Khan. But I think it's all. All the Easter eggs are being given to us right now, so that once when it's all reintroduced in book two, we've already got that foundation.

[Nicole]

Well, something I think that might happen is that we're going to get Khan having to go to the Elding or having to find the Elding so that the Elding can fight on his side in the war. Yes, yeah, absolutely.

[Lexi]

I'm also curious too. When Khan said his brother only has sites on one place, I assume that he is the military.

[Nicole]

Military.

[Lexi]

That's kind of what my thought is that it's his military might. But what if it was somewhere else, like where he wants to take his military? The Burn or the Flourish? Both.

[Nicole]

I think it might be both.

[Lexi]

Unfortunately, no, that's not his single focus on one thing. So I do think that he is talking about the location of the military might right now is kind of like an extra oomph of why he's not here right now. Yes. It's also just very convenient for the plot. But I do think that. That it will have bigger repercussions about how obsessed this king is with his military. Yeah.

[Nicole]

100%. Okay. Khan saying how revenge is the loneliest emotion of them all. And how he himself would know. He would know. Because later, as we learn, Khan held revenge over his father for the longest time until he finally killed his father, thinking that it would help his feelings towards losing Elowin. And it didn't. It did a little because. But not as much as he thought. Thought it would also just.

[Lexi]

Poor con when Rave is like, I

[Nicole]

never willingly fuck you.

[Lexi]

And he lets out this long sigh. He's having to take a moment to recover from that punch in the gut and probably gather his patience just a little bit too, because they used to bang bangity all the time. They were in love. But she does not have any idea. Oh, my gosh. And he's just like, okay, just keep it together right now. Just focus on getting her out of here. And then I'll work on all of this other stuff.

[Nicole]

We need to start psy. Watch where it's just gone, like, taking a long sigh.

[Lexi]

And like, I'm. I know that it's with like his partner. So I. I'm really sorry for equating this to parents and stuff like that, but it's like I.

[Nicole]

When.

[Lexi]

When my. When my kids, like.

[Nicole]

Wait, I'm sorry. You're apologizing now? We just covered Quicksilver and Brimstone and not once did you apologize. Different.

[Lexi]

Like, that's.

[Nicole]

That's just different. Okay, it is time to infiltrate the Tri Council, where each episode, Lexi is going to guide us through a world building topic to help us deepen our understanding of this world and its magic.

[Lexi]

Today's infiltrating the Tri Council topic is the Fade. The Fade is the middle third of the world, and its climate is not like the extreme hot of the Burn, which is north, or the freezing cold of the shade, which is south. But it is on the cooler side, so you might think that it's a happy medium, but it airs a little bit more like the shade. It is often snowy and it does occasionally sleet here, but it never rains. To give you an idea there of the climate, the clouds are always colorful and forever in a constant state of golden hour color. Remember, one knows the time of day based on the silver ribbons in the sky. Let's talk about the Royals of the Fade. Sadly, we don't know really anything about the previous rulers, aside from it seemed like a flourishing kingdom with lots of art and culture and one could truly live. So for now, we'll have to jump straight into the current royal family. The King of the Fade is Caddock Vhagor. His parents are Ostrin and Kovina Vhagor, the previous rulers of the Burn, and is the sibling of Khan, King of the Burn. Veya, his only sister and twin of Tyroth, the King of the Shade. Kadok's wife and queen is the Thea. So she's the Queen who just helped Rave with all the wind and getting the dragon's way and all that. Even though the Fade is to Thea's ancestral home, she is from here. She was a princess of the Fade before. She is looked down upon because she can only hear one elemental song. Claude Khaduk is the father of Turin Vhagor, a tribe bead who has not been seen in many phases. As we speculated a lot last episode. The rumors say that he has gone mad and Kadok hid him away rather than make the problem public. And we know from Elowen's diary that Caddock wooed the young queen into bed and impregnated her, so therefore he would be bound to her, married to her, and become king. The different areas of the Fade are Gor, which is the capital of the Fade. This is where the royal family lives and trials are held, like the trial with the Guild Nobles. Then we have something called the Ditch, which is the main thoroughfare or path, road and Gore. The ditch is 33 stories deep and each level is accessed via steep stairways. The bottom level is busy with many common Fae hustling about doing their chores like cleaning snow or chopping kindling, and merchants with carts full of tinctures, ruined gadgets, and crates full of exotic foods. The other levels are filled with homes like Rave and Essie's Rip. Above the Ditch are sky bridges that connect the two sides, allowing for easy travel. Oh, it's beautiful. In my mind here, I love it. But what's not so beautiful is the other Undercity. The Undercity, on the other hand, is a large jagged divide in the ground below Gorr, directly beneath the wall of the Fade. It is riddled with abandoned dragon bloodstone, mineshafts and where a lot of unhoused people end up. The air is thick and there is no sun. Some people born in the Undercity don't even know what the Aurora ribbons are like. Essie before Rey found her. The Undercity is the slums of Gore and known as a dangerous, dangerous place to live or visit. This is due to some of those mineshafts collapsing and creatures from either side of the wall sneak in to find shelter. The Undercity is also known for its battle pits, one of which was run by Tarik Relikan, but has since been shut down by the fear to ath. Thanks to rave, many people in the Undercity are starving to death or steal food to survive. Those who do find food are typically eating bland foods like stale bread and plain corn rule every slumber. The folks who live here gamble on whether or not they will make it to the next rise. Going back above ground, there is the Wall. No, not like in Game of Thrones. The wall is a massive stone wall that encircles the Fade like a belt, running parallel from east to west as far as the eye can see. Remember that boulder created this? As told back in the prologue, most of the Fade's population built homes within the wall in heavily populated areas. A trail trench is dug down into the wall, splitting it in two, creating a sheltered ditch with sky bridges stretching between both sides. These ditches are deep enough that people who live here feel a sense of safety within these trenches. Although there are plenty of predators down here in the shelter ditch, if not more, they're just more well camouflaged. There are rubbish chutes tunneled into the wall that go down past ground level, past a few levels of the Undercity, and spit out into the layer of something called a velvet crater trog that eats Gorr's trash. Beside the trash chutes are also holes in the wall that lead to areas that are inhabited by predators. Then the last place that I want to touch on in the Fade is Bogarth, the Molten Maw nesting grounds. Molten moths are the colorful dragons of the Fade. I'll talk a lot more about them in a different episode when we'll talk more about dragons. Bogarth is a vast stretch of boggy wasteland that gobbles up almost everything in muddy sulfuric burps. Molten moths form their nests attend top of stable mounds here, building great circular globes from trees and branches and laying their eggs within. Let's talk about the military system of the Fade. The Kingdom of the Fade used to be a creator's blessed place to live, where children's giggles echoed throughout the ditch. And I say that in a very merry good way, even though the ditch sounds kind of scary. Like I said, the colorful sky inspired an era of music and arts. But when the current king, Karak Vhagor was sworn in, everything changed to him, caring only about his military might. The military in the Fade is not voluntary, but by conscription, every child is forced to go before a truth tune and have their magical abilities checked through this screening process. This is required for every offspring. There are folks who speak out against the King and parents of gifted children who try to keep their young from being checked, but it doesn't usually end up well for those who have attempt this. If a youngling is discovered to hear one or more elemental songs, they are taken right then and there away from their parents and conscripted into military training at Jalgad. Both the parents and kids know that once this happens, there's a high likelihood that they will never see each other again. In exchange for having their children ripped from them, parents are given a bucket of bloodstone as gratitude. The children who do not hear any songs are forcefully held down and clipped, forever marked as a lower class null moving into the Fear to ath. The Fear to ATH is the rebellious group who are working to counter the tyranny leeching across the kingdoms. And the Fear to ATH are most prominent in the Fade. They have an underground safe haven called the Flourish which is ruled by the Elding that is rumored to be somewhere in the South. Again, we're not entirely clear on if the south means the Shade or just a southern part of the Fade. That's kind of kind of what we're thinking though. There is propaganda against the Fear to ATH with the Crown. The Crown is really pedaling hard with the propaganda against the Fear to ask within the Fade. There are propaganda posters warning citizens that the Fear do ATH wants to steal their children to exploit them for their own political game as an attempt to weaken the Kingdom. More like the Crown is exploiting children to use for their own political game because they have weakened the Kingdom. But anyway, because of how desperate citizens are are for any kind of comfortable life because there is so much poverty, the Crown no longer needs to threaten its lower class. Instead, they offer buckets of Bloodstone and better accommodations on the northern side of the Wall, which is where the sun shines most. So that makes it the nicer spot for any information about the ath. Turning neighbors on one another is basically what they're doing here. So let's talk about the hierarchy of magic users and Gnolls and how everybody's treated in the Fade. Gnolls are viewed as lesser than those who can hear the Creator's songs. It doesn't matter if you can hear only one of the Creator songs, you would still be considered in significantly higher status than a Gnoll. The very last thing to say here about the Fade is. Of the three documented moonfalls within the past 23 phases one landed in the Fade. More specifically, the molten maw that fell was large enough to destroy a chunk of the wall and litter the sky with a cloud of dust and sand that could be seen all the way from gore. We don't get clarification on the exact location of this moonfall, just that it smashed part of the wall. So good thing for us to note there. All right, everybody. And there we have it. The Fade.

[Nicole]

All right, let us round out this episode too with shopping at the Curly Quill and discussing our favorite moments from this stretch of chapters. I just love that she not only ate a tip of Rex finger, but she also still has a finger tendon in her teeth. Like, I know that's gross, but it's so good. I love that shit. We haven't talked a lot about Rave's icy lake. Don't worry, we're definitely getting into that next episode and the episode after that. But I love how after the others emergence, it's like the icy lake is no longer smooth and still it's now a frosted expanse of these icy shards, like splooging up out of her lake.

[Lexi]

The way that Rave keeps her skin herself occupied in her cell. It's very sad because she's well practiced from her imprisonment with the scavenger king, but it is not funny. But I'll say interesting to point out that she's learned how to pass the time with her imagination.

[Nicole]

Well, as someone who's done a lot of research on how to withstand interrogations and how to withstand torture, a big thing is counting to like keep your mind and your body focused on something else. So I love that she's counting the drip drops falling off the ceiling. We know that Rave knows all the creators songs, but Rave claims not to understand them. I love a first person POV denial, but I think that Slotra remembers all the languages and that's how she's able to speak Boulder's language.

[Lexi]

I did get the impression that Rave does know, but only like a few of the songs. Because she does. Because there is a line when she's the the other where it's like, oh, they wouldn't be so afraid if they knew that she only knew a few of these songs.

[Nicole]

So if that's true, that's true.

[Lexi]

If I had to guess, it would be that Rave doesn't like talking to Bull. She just again, she compartmentalizes and she wants to keep pretending like she doesn't hear anybody else. But I do think that she still understands how useful Boulder could be. So she Learns a few really useful ones that, you know, can like kill people and then be like, all right, cool, I'm good.

[Nicole]

Sounds like Ra Rave. Speaking of Rave, her fuck you lines to wreck Zaros are top tier. Her telling him to go easy on the smokesticks because she doesn't want them killing him before she does. Then her saying how she's seen bigger iron tips on whips. But hey, if whipping a female makes you feel like a strong boy, then don't let me stomp your dreams. And this is my personal favorite. After he asks what her real name is, she says, quote, die a slow traumatic death and perhaps I'll consider whispering it next to your ear right before your heart gives out. I strive to be this witty. Like, yes. So good. Oh my God. Speaking of Rave one liners, quote, I would cheer, but I'm certain you'll do enough of that. This slumber while you're staring at your floor length mirror fisting your microcock.

[Lexi]

So classic. Classic quote of the book and even the line in her. Her inner monologue quote, right now the ground is my friend. Unless I'm standing, then it's my enemy. I just love Sarah's writing and how she captures feelings and personalities so fluidly in her writing style.

[Nicole]

Well, I'll also throw out that it is a little bit of us understanding Rave more and more with lines like that because Rave is very selfish. She is a very selfish character and

[Lexi]

it's things like, unless it's empathy for innocent people.

[Nicole]

Yeah, exactly. But like, but in this moment, it's like she's very self focused and I love that where it's like, the ground is right now my friend, because I'm sitting on it, but if I stand up, it's my enemy and it's, it's focusing on herself. And I, I think that's good insight

[Lexi]

for us when she knows that she'll die the next day. Rave might have all the bravado at her trial, but in reality, she is so sad to die because she loves living. Goes back to the positive outlook on life and living living that Fallon offered, which we discussed a lot last episode. Rave loves the way the dragons soar in the sky. She loves the feeling of fallen snow. She loves the little wonky moon haze perch. Most of all, just oh.

[Nicole]

Rave calling herself Prisoner 73 got us thinking. Was there any significance to picking that exact number? So we signaled a Sarah and here is what she said. We asked, is there any significance to the number 73? And she said, said, quote, I wish I was that smart. You are that smart, Sarah. Yes, you are. Oh, my gosh. While we're on signal of Sarah's, we talked about this a lot last episode as we were fascinated by the language of the different creators and how they sound like the creator themselves. And so we decided to ask Sarah about the different translations and what they mean. So, for instance, like how this episode cons as vlogging for Ignos and it lights his hand on fire so he can see Rave's face. So we asked her, we love the languages you've created for the different creators. Can you share what some of those translations mean? She says, quote, thank you. My language diary is on my broken computer that is currently in a different country. But I will say this is so relatable. That is so relatable. Oh, my God. But I will say that when I'm constructing words for the language, I can tried to shape the words so they feel like a verbal expression of the creator they're coming from. So for Ignos, his words are seething, spitting, fiery sounding words. Claude is light and airy with occasional slilting lilt boulders, heavy rolling and powerful sounding words. And rain is fluid words that sound either flow, splash, splatter or drown. I feel so vindicated because this is what I guessed last episode. I feel very valuable. There you go.

[Lexi]

There's your gold star, Nicole.

[Nicole]

There we go. We both got one. This episode. Next, the banter between Rave and Khan. This whole episode, her saying, who died and made you king? And Khan completely deadpan and goes, my paw. It's like, I mean, he's not wrong. Like, that's exactly what happened. And then he asks what happened to her face? And she said she tripped on a stone. And Khan said, quote, did it reach up and punch you in the face? I love him.

[Lexi]

And then when she's like, I'm still gonna kill you, he's like, great. Don't forget to cut off my head or I'm going to haunt you. He's just like. Like every jab that she's trying to do, he's just able to dish it right back in whatever way. Exactly. And she's. She's like, God damn it.

[Nicole]

Well, this moment when Rafe enters the healing room and Bea and Conn are both in there and she, she says, this better be a threesome and con fucking vagor is all. I'm not one to share, but if you want that, we can have it arranged for you once your back is healed. Like, I'm absolutely dead. Don't get me wrong, I Love the possessive like stuff. But like, this is so like your mind. Because, like, I'm not into that. But also if you want to do that, that's fine, honey. Hot. Hot.

[Lexi]

I also love how he has the. Once your back is healed, it's like, just.

[Nicole]

Just get healed, please.

[Lexi]

Step one.

[Nicole]

You know what else is hot? A man's self control. Yeah. While Rave is topless getting healed by Bea, not once does Khan's gaze drop to her chest. It's almost like it's not that fucking hard.

[Lexi]

Just saying I love him so much. And how in his culture, nudity is not a big deal. But for Rafe, with her culture being in the colder areas, it is. And so he's respecting that. And I also wonder if there was something with Elowyn and Khan a long time ago where, like, he did understand that she was a little bit more prude in that way. And so he's literally speaking from experience with Elowyn when they were. When he was like, first, I'll say courting her even though he wasn't. Yeah.

[Nicole]

Anyway, we'll get into that whole thing later on.

[Lexi]

Something else that stood out to me was how this little room has jars of captured moonlight. How does one capture moonlight if light comes from the calcified moons? This would have been a great question for Sarah.

[Nicole]

Damn it. Oh, well, maybe another time.

[Lexi]

It's a tiny bit funny how Rave is mad that she spent her last night alive on Earth getting painfully mended just to then be killed. As far as she knows, right? And she's just like, great. What a terrible way to spend my last little bit of time. Time on this Earth, reliving torture with this flesh red. And it's entirely unnecessary again. So she thinks. And I just get a little giggle out of that when Elowin writes in her diary, quote, for the first time since I climbed in Haden's sleigh, all those faces ago, I felt remarkable. That was nine phases ago. 9,000 aurora cycles ago. And she's been working so hard to help her brother in that time. Working with his dragon to fix her wing. She bonded with his dragon's mother and now she's done it. Like, no wonder Slasher loves her so much too. Right? She's y', all. Since the beginning, she's been protecting this egg. And Elowyn feels helpful and like she's fixed the wrong that happened so long ago that wasn't her fault. But she's made it her responsibility because she loves her brother and wants him to smile. And now home she does it again. All right, friends, thank you so much for listening to episode two of our when the Moon Hatched Deep Dive.

[Nicole]

We will continue this journey with episode three to the lake to Maw's retreat to the couch with Khan covering chapters 29 through 36. Y', all, I am about to become a version of myself that chapter 55 could only retaliate with. Oh my God, I'm so excited.

[Lexi]

I love this is also the first time that you and I have both been like, oh my God,

[Nicole]

I got a Share a book boyfriend.

[Lexi]

We'd love to give the biggest warm welcome, welcome, welcome to our newest feral fans and deep Divers. Thank you so so so much for being here and for supporting our show.

[Nicole]

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Treasure Reads Danny, Taylor C, Melissa, Joseline, Lisa H, Alice Q and Sarah from Fat Horse Ranch. Yeah, we love Ranch.

[Lexi]

And if you're like, hey, I want my name shouted out on the podcast and to shout with all this love too, join our fan club@Fantasy Fangirls.com Fan Club Link is also in the show Notes.

[Nicole]

Thank you as always to our favorite mind weft, AKA our content researcher Brooke Good God, we don't know what we'd do without you for these Deep Dive outlines, especially on a double episode week with an emergency episode. And of course the other person we don't know. We don't know what we do without our executive producer, AKA our sanity manager, AKA co host of the Fantasy Fan Fellows podcast, AKA our editing guru who literally we would have died this week without him. Sweet, wonderful Hayden.

[Lexi]

We are very active on social media with weekly trivia, book guides and lots more. So please be sure to follow us on Instagram and slash our TikTok antasyfangirlspod. And if you're watching this on YouTube, pretty please hit that subscribe button to keep following along.

[Nicole]

While you're hitting buttons, don't forget to hit that five star button on whatever podcasting platform you are listening on. And if you feel a little extra generous, write a little love note in that review section. But please friends don't just do that for this podcast, but for every podcast that you regularly listen to. It is so helpful. Helpful for shows to get out there to more listeners. Thank you, thank you, thank you. If you've already done it. And of course, last but most certainly not least, share this episode with your fellow Moonfall friends. If you have a friend who like Lexi and I are just drooling over Conveyor, this is a great episode to send to them so we can all relive his magic together. Yay.

[Lexi]

All right, everybody, we will see you next week. Bye. Bye.

[Nicole]

I thought you were drinking wine for a second and I was like, Lexi, it is 10am we are about to record an episode. Get your shit together. Trader Joe's Sparkling Water.

[Hayden]

Howdy, howdy ho, and welcome to Fantasy Fan Fellas. I'm Hayden, producer of the Fantasy Fangirls podcast and your resident lover of all things Sanderson.

[Stephen]

And I'm Stephen, your bookish Internet goofball, but you can call me the Smash Daddy.

[Hayden]

And we are currently deep diving Brandon Sanderson's fantasy epic Mistborn. But here's the catch. Steven here has not read Mistborn before.

[Stephen]

That's right. Hey.

[Lexi]

Hey.

[Stephen]

So each week, you'll get my unfiltered raw reactions to every single chapter.

[Hayden]

And along the way, we'll do character deep dives, magic explainers, and Steven will even try to guess what's next. Spoiler alert. He'll be wrong.

[Stephen]

Newsflash. I'm never wrong. Episodes come out every Wednesday, and you can find Fantasy Fan Fellows wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole]

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