Explore the profile below. Later developments and revelations are gathered in the expandable story section.
Xer’Arun is the desert east of Parthal. The old Onyx Road offers exposed black stone in some stretches and cairns where sand hides the route. Cold mornings, severe daytime heat, shifting dunes, and unreliable cisterns make the care of people and horses inseparable from reaching the far side.[1]
In BONDS[1]
A crossing measured in water
The company rides around dawn and dusk, shelters during the worst heat, and checks water sources before supplies become an emergency. Magic can help preserve what they carry and lessen exposure, but Lirael cannot create water from land that has none to give.
BONDS story revelationsEvents through the epilogue · Open to read
Another wounded crossing[1]
The Heartwood answers a desert nexus through the connected ley. Mythrien identifies Xer’Arun and reports that the Shroud has been probing its edges. As the riders approach, harmonic responses and silver-violet light reveal pressure at the distant working; Lirael reserves judgment about exactly how the Veil and wards are involved until she is closer.
Story revelations are closed. Open this section on the website before printing to include them.
Sources & appearances
BONDS: The Tale of Sylas · B.K. McSherry
BONDS · Final Draft 1.0
Referenced chaptersChapters 21–22
- [1]BONDS · Chapters 21–22