Old Wounds is the thirty-eighth episode of The Dragon Prince. It is the second chapter of the fifth book, "Ocean".
Worried by Claudia's relentless pace, Terry dreams up a creative solution. Rayla and Callum set out for Lux Aurea. Ezran prepares to address the dragons.
Plot[]
Callum and his group are preparing to leave the Katolis castle from the courtyard as the sun rises. Callum and Bait are settled on their horse while Rayla and Stella are still drowsy on their Shadowpaw. Barius's exclamation prompts the Shadowpaw to inadvertently toss Rayla to the floor, which successfully awakens the Moonshadow Elf. Callum and Rayla receive hot brown morning potion and Barius's newest pastry "doughie-o's" as send-off gifts while Opeli plans to send word to the Storm Spire so that Ezran's group will be updated on what they can find in the Great Bookery of Lux Aurea.
Claudia is impatient that Terry and the Being are not finished packing up and that they need to be fast instead of slow and steady if they wish to leave the Drakewood and reach Aaravos's prison first. Terry promises that they will not let Viren down before they lift him up and begin their slow and steady journey to the Sea of the Castout.
Viren's fever dream starts where he sees himself wearing his High Mage attire and staring at the magic mirror. Viren asserts that he took the steps he walked on because he had to before a familiar toddler voice calls out to him.
Inside the Storm Spire, Ezran is rehearsing for the big speech he will make when he meets with the dragons of Xadia before he asks Soren and Corvus for the best choice of words. When Ezran asks whether he should use "beseech" or "entreat" in his speech, Soren is corrected by Corvus that the word "entreat" does not involve treats. Soren believes that Ezran should not burden himself, and he deserves to spend time as a regular child, so he will not grow up as a weird person. Ezran is oblivious that he did not laugh when he said the word "duty", though he gives in to the humor after Corvus explained Soren's giggles. Corvus eventually joins the laughter upon noting that Ezran said, "I shall not be deterred".
As the sun is about to set in Katolis, Rayla plans to make camp in the forest after covering a lot of ground with the rest of her group. Callum, however, suggests spending the night at a nearby inn that features free breakfast. Rayla is quite hesitant at first, but she changes her mind when she sees the pretty eyes Callum, Bait, and Stella are making and jokingly calls them "softies".
Terry suggests that Claudia should rest after a long day of walking, but she refuses to stop moving since Viren's life depends on them reaching Aaravos first.
Back inside Viren's fever dream, Viren is unable to locate the toddler voice that is continuously moving behind the many doors around him. Viren then decides to run towards one of the doors before he opens it. Once he enters the room, Viren is shocked to find his former mentor Kpp'Ar waiting for him.
Callum's group is departing from the inn when Rayla professes her fondness for the room and the breakfast they experienced. Callum is happy that Rayla enjoyed their stay and is feeling more optimistic since the Border is just on the horizon.
Kpp'Ar greets Viren as his "most eager student" and compliments the latter for overcoming his past disadvantages. The old mage then explains that his bandaged left arm was the result of an ancient and disturbing practice. Kpp'Ar remarks on how far Viren would go to achieve his goals and that the latter always made the choice that gave him power. Viren argued that he always did the things that protected his family, however dangerous and however vile. The toddler voice soon returns, and Viren finds himself standing in a vast empty space.
Rayla comments that the new path Viren created through the Border is a scar inflicted by dark magic, but Callum perceives it as a bridge between Xadia and the Human Kingdoms. Rayla agrees and begins to see it as an old wound that is healing as she and Callum exchange smiles.
Claudia's group is traveling through a rainstorm as Viren sits on the throne of Katolis inside his fever dream. Viren is confused to see Kpp'Ar and Opeli speaking backwards while the Being dances around before the nonsensical scene starts to annoy him. Unable to take it all in, Viren throws his crown to the floor, ruining and smearing it with blood.
Callum and Rayla are gazing at the stars by their campfire together as their mounts, Bait, and Stella, drift into their sleep. They note how Xadia and the Human Kingdoms give different names and interpretations to constellations. What the humans call and see as the "Big Spoon" and the "South Star", the elves and the dragons call and see them as "Garlaath the Annihilator " and "Leola's Last Wish", respectively. Callum gradually allows Rayla to snuggle with him as they continue their stargazing.
Terry begs Claudia to rest after two days of not sleeping, and she accepts the idea if he can invent a way for her to sleep and move at the same time before she dozes off. Upon witnessing the Being playing by the nearby river, Terry realizes that there is a way for them to sleep and move at the same time.
Viren's fever dream continues with him entering Harrow's chamber, where he discovers the body of his former king. When the fireplace is ignited, Harrow resurrects himself and greets Viren for being so surprised. Viren kneels to show respect, only for Harrow to chuckle and apologize for being so cruel in their final hour together. Harrow then hugs and confesses that he always viewed Viren as his brother. Despite his surprise, Viren slowly returns Harrow's hug and states that he did what he had to do to show that he does matter. Harrow agrees before saying that Viren's soul is his treasure. Viren is alarmed by what Harrow just said before he was distracted by the screeching Pip. When Viren turns back to Harrow, he sees his former king wielding the relic staff. Harrow then uses the staff and a dark magic spell to capture Viren's soul.
Callum's group is sleeping when a rustling in the bushes awakens Rayla, Stella, and their mounts. Rayla proceeds to wake Callum and Bait up just before they are confronted by a corrupted Banther. Rayla rescues Callum with her Shadowpaw as the Banther kills his horse and attempts to attack Bait. Rayla picks Bait up while the Banther continues to pursue them. Callum is then compelled to take the reins so that Rayla can shoot the Banther with her arrows. None of the arrows made their mark until Stella gave Rayla a special one that had a red crescent moon as its head. The arrow explodes upon hitting the Banther, which forces it to give up the chase. Rayla silently thanks Ethari as she and her group continue their journey to Lux Aurea.
Claudia wakes up to find Terry has built a raft that allows them to rest and move at the same time. The amazed Claudia hugs and shares a passionate kiss with Terry as the Being checks on Viren.
Viren is trapped inside an enchanted coin before he is released from his imprisonment and happily reunites with a toddler Soren. Viren and toddler Soren start to play together before the latter coughs and slowly crumbles into ash and dust. Stricken with grief, Viren cries that he will do anything to save his son.
Characters and Cast[]
- Callum (Jack De Sena)
- Rayla (Paula Burrows)
- Ezran (Sasha Rojen)
- Bait
- Stella
- Soren (Jesse Inocalla)
- Toddler Soren (Lawrence Ehasz)
- Viren (Jason Simpson)
- Claudia (Racquel Belmonte)
- Terry (Benjamin Callins)
- The Being
- Corvus (Omari Newton)
- Opeli (Paula Burrows)
- Barius (Jason Simpson)
- Kpp'Ar (Greg Rogers)
- Harrow (Luc Roderique)
- Pip
- Aaravos
- Saleer
- Kasef
- Sarai
Spells[]
| Sky Spells |
Dark Magic
- Erusaert ym si luos ruoy (Your soul is my treasure)
Trivia[]
- Terry's phrase of "slow and steady wins the race" is a reference to the fable ""The Tortoise and the Hare".
- The beginning of Viren's dream is a parody of the opening titles of "Mad Men".
- During the portion of Viren's dream sequence that parodies "Twin Peaks", Opeli (appropriately) begins speaking backwards. She says, "The jelly tart you like is going to come back in style".
- Toddler Soren's appearance and condition are first revealed in the side story "Strangers".