After leaving Grimsen, Jude angrily forages in the woods while worrying that she is no closer to escape or to understanding Madoc’s plan. Returning to camp, Jude finds Madoc sharpening daggers by the fire. Still disguised as Taryn, Jude sits with him and cautiously asks whether Madoc truly believes he can defeat Cardan.

Madoc, convinced he is speaking to Taryn, says he intends to challenge Cardan to a duel and kill him afterward. When Jude questions why the High King would ever accept, Madoc says Cardan will do it “for love” and “for duty.” Madoc explains that Cardan is haunted by a prophecy that he will make a poor king, and Madoc plans to offer Cardan a chance to prove otherwise, implying he can manipulate Cardan into fighting.

Jude suggests that Madoc might control Cardan the way Jude once did, but Madoc rejects the idea, saying Cardan took that power back and that Madoc now wants to rule openly. Madoc speaks bitterly about Jude, claiming he gave her chances to support the family, while also admitting pride in what Jude accomplished and saying she is the child most like him.

Madoc then turns to Taryn’s marriage and correctly guesses that Taryn killed Locke. Because Jude is impersonating Taryn, Jude cannot answer quickly enough, and Madoc takes the silence as confirmation. Instead of condemning Taryn, Madoc is pleased and frames Locke’s death as possible justice for a broken heart, which leads Jude to ask whether that is why Madoc killed her mother. Madoc admits his battle-hardened instincts lingered beyond war and reflects that murdering Jude’s parents forged the sisters through trauma.

Madoc offers to carry the weight of Taryn’s guilt if the killing troubles her, but Jude refuses to comfort him in Taryn’s voice and says she should bring the foraged food to Oriana. Before Jude leaves, Madoc promises not to forget Taryn’s loyalty and offers her any reward once he wins. Jude feels the loss of being loved as Madoc’s daughter, realizes Madoc can never truly offer safety, and decides her disguise is failing; she resolves to flee that night despite the dangerous trek across the ice.