Lady Scarab

Lore & Background

Lady Scarab is introduced as the elderly, no-nonsense grandmother of Cricket, residing in the secluded mansion on Pantala. She is revealed to be a SandWing from Pyrrhia who fled during the War of SandWing Succession, carrying with her a dangerous secret: the location of the 'othermind,' a parasitic plant that once threatened all of Pantala. Her knowledge of this ancient threat makes her a target for Queen Wasp, who seeks to control the othermind for her own ends.

Scarab's past is steeped in tragedy and cunning. She was once a noble in the Scorpion Den, where she raised her daughter Thorn in secret, hiding her true identity as a SandWing royal heir. After Thorn became queen of the SandWings, Scarab chose to remain on Pantala, guarding the othermind's location and raising her grandchildren, including Cricket and Bumblebee. Her sharp wit and refusal to bow to authority make her a formidable ally and a dangerous enemy.

In the later books, Scarab's role expands as she helps the protagonists understand the othermind's history and ultimately aids in its destruction. Her relationship with her daughter Thorn is strained but ultimately loving, and her fierce protectiveness of her family drives many of her actions. She is a character defined by her intelligence, her secrets, and her unyielding will to survive.

In Their Own Story

The old SandWing sat in the dim light of her study, a single candle flickering beside a scroll of ancient diagrams. Her claws traced the image of a twisting vine, its tendrils reaching for a dragon's mind. 'They think they know the othermind,' she muttered to herself, 'but they've only seen its shadow.' Outside, the sounds of the Hive hummed with the lies of Queen Wasp. Scarab's eyes narrowed. She had fled across the ocean once, carrying this secret like a poison in her heart. She would not let it destroy another generation. 'Let them come,' she whispered, and the candle flame danced as if in answer.

Reader's Guide

**Name:** Lady Scarab **Tribe:** SandWing **Role in the story:** Guardian of the othermind's secret, grandmother to Cricket and Bumblebee, mother of Queen Thorn, and a key figure in the Pantala arc.

**Key relationships:** - **Thorn (daughter):** A complicated bond of love and distance; Scarab hid Thorn's royal heritage to protect her. - **Cricket (granddaughter):** Scarab is a mentor figure, sharing her knowledge of the othermind and the old world. - **Queen Wasp (enemy):** Scarab holds the secret Wasp desperately wants, making her a prime target.

**Notable moments:** Revealing the othermind's location to the protagonists; surviving an assassination attempt by Wasp's forces; reuniting with Thorn in the final book.

**Personality traits:** Cunning, secretive, fiercely protective, sharp-tongued, pragmatic, and unyielding. She values knowledge and survival above sentiment, but her love for her family is her driving force.

Did You Know?

• Lady Scarab is the mother of Queen Thorn, making her the grandmother of the SandWing heir, Prince Cliff.
• She fled Pyrrhia during the War of SandWing Succession, carrying the secret of the othermind to Pantala.
• Her mansion on Pantala contains a hidden library with scrolls detailing the othermind's history and weaknesses.
• She is one of the few dragons who knows the true origin of the 'Flames of Hope' prophecy.