Summary

In Chapter 15, guards are holding a knife to Wren's throat which prompts Oak to stop fighting. A guard ties a rope around Wren's mouth to keep her from talking. They take Wren and Oak into a hall where Nore is having a meal with Bogdana and the troll king Hurclaw. Wren is shocked to see Nore is wearing Jarel's hands around her neck. The hands move. Nore asks Oak about Mellith's heart. Oak answers in general terms. Wren frantically tries to bite through the rope, knowing that Nore is going to eventually ask a question that Oak cannot skirt with a half-truth. Wren is shocked when Oak says, “Let me say it in full so you will not worry over being deceived … I brought Mellith's heart” (295). Wren cannot imagine why Oak is able to lie. He then says he does not “have it...