Wings of Fire Book 13: The Poison Jungle | Fan-Made Audiobook | Chapter 15
Chapter 15: Exploring Hawthorne's House
In this chapter, the dragons - Hawthorne, Mandrake, Willow, Sundew, Nettle, and Cricket - enter Hawthorne's house and explore its surroundings.
Entering the Clearing
- The dragons cautiously enter the clearing where Hawthorne's house is located. They notice that the low-hanging vines have been cut back and sections of the canopy overhead have been cleared.
- A small vegetable garden covers a quarter of the clearing, with grass growing in patches of sunlight.
- The house itself is shaped like a cell in a hive and has been carefully constructed using smooth flat boards made from tree trunks. Flax curtains adorn the door and windows.
Inside Hawthorne's House
- The interior of Hawthorne's house is breezy, warm, and filled with a rose-colored light from the sun filtering through the curtains.
- The room is spacious with high ceilings and shelves adorned with carved wooden dragons, snakes, trees, and orangutans.
- Cricket notices one dragon head that resembles Queen Sequoia.
- Hawthorne reveals that he made all these carvings himself as he had no one else to talk to. He considers them his friends.
Conversation with Hawthorne
- Hawthorne identifies Cricket as a HiveWing and hopes that her presence signifies peace between tribes so he can return home.
- Nettle clarifies that peace has not been achieved yet and mentions Cricket being an "x-HiveWing."
- Cricket expresses her desire to save her tribe rather than trade them away.
- Hawthorne shows three ebony cups for tea but Willow declines due to lack of time.
Urgency to Return
- Sundew emphasizes the urgency to return before Queen Wasp attacks. She mentions that they know about the Breath of Evil and its connection to wasp mind control.
- Hawthorne is surprised by this information and realizes the seriousness of the situation.
- He asks if Queen Sequoia sent them and expresses his relief that she is still alive.
Hawthorne's Expertise
- Hawthorne reveals that Queen Sequoia intended for him to study the Breath of Evil alone, making him an expert on the subject.
- Cricket asks if he is using his knowledge on the snakes, to which he responds positively.
Tea Time with Hawthorne
In this chapter, the dragons have a conversation with Hawthorne about their mission and urgency while discussing tea.
Tea Offer
- Hawthorne offers tea to the dragons, mentioning that he would have prepared more cups if he had known they were coming.
- Willow politely declines due to lack of time, but Sundew insists they must get back before Queen Wasp attacks.
Urgency Reiterated
- Sundew emphasizes again that they need to return quickly as Queen Wasp's attack may happen soon.
- Hawthorne realizes the gravity of the situation and acknowledges it as relevant news.
Knowledge about Breath of Evil
- The dragons inform Hawthorne that they know about the Breath of Evil and its connection to wasp mind control.
- They mention that Queen Sequoia believes Hawthorne knows more about it than any other dragon alive.
Study Alone
- Hawthorne confirms that studying the Breath of Evil alone has made him quite knowledgeable over time.
- Cricket wonders if he is using his knowledge on snakes, implying their obedience towards her.
Hawthorne's Messages
Willow and Sundu exchange glances while Hawthorne is gone. Sundu is unsure of what Willow thinks about the eccentric old dragon. Hawthorne returns with tea and honey, expressing his pride in the tea. He mentions not having visitors in decades and reveals that he had sent messages to Sequoia but was forbidden to return to the village himself.
- Willow and Sundu exchange glances, uncertain about Hawthorne's actions.
- Hawthorne returns with tea and expresses his pride in it.
- He mentions not having visitors in decades.
- Hawthorne reveals that he had sent messages to Sequoia but was forbidden to return to the village himself.
Failed Messages
Sundu is puzzled by the mention of messages. Hawthorne explains that he sent messages through various means, including coconuts tied to monkeys and birds, as well as vipers. However, none of these messages reached Sequoia.
- Hawthorne sent messages using coconuts tied to monkeys and birds, as well as vipers.
- None of these messages reached Sequoia.
Finding an Antidote
Willow asks if they found an antidote. Hawthorne confirms that he did find one but feels sad for all the time lost being alone. Cricket comforts him and acknowledges the importance of his mission in saving dragons.
- Hawthorne confirms finding an antidote.
- He feels sad for all the time lost being alone.
- Cricket comforts him and acknowledges the importance of his mission.
Punishment and Purpose
Cricket praises Hawthorne for his efforts in saving hivelings and believes he will be a hero. Hawthorne expresses gratitude but also acknowledges that he deserved the punishment. Cricket questions why they are being punished, and Sundu and Willow express confusion.
- Cricket praises Hawthorne for his efforts in saving hivelings.
- Hawthorne acknowledges deserving the punishment.
- Sundu and Willow express confusion about the reason for their punishment.
The Breath of Evil
Hawthorne reveals that he found the breath of evil, which was thought to have been wiped out centuries ago, and gave it to Queen Wasp. Sundu feels a sense of dread upon learning this information.
- Hawthorne reveals finding the breath of evil.
- He gave it to Queen Wasp.
- Sundu feels a sense of dread upon learning this information.