Jude wakes in her tent with a hand over her mouth and instinctively attacks before realizing the intruders are the Roach and Cardan. The Roach explains that Vivi brought Oriana’s message to Cardan after Madoc carried Jude away, and that Vivi, Taryn, and a friend are waiting nearby with horses. Cardan has come disguised as a spy rather than as High King.

Jude refuses to leave immediately because Jude wants to free the Ghost and use Madoc’s war plans as leverage. Jude tells Cardan and the Roach that Madoc holds the Ghost prisoner, that Grimsen has the key, and that Madoc has information on ships, allied Courts, and Grimsen’s work. In exchange, Jude demands safe passage back to Elfhame and an end to Jude’s exile; Cardan promises that if Jude returns and tells what Jude knows, the exile will end.

The Roach wants to kill the Ghost, but Jude argues that Madoc controls the Ghost through the Ghost’s true name, which Locke gave away, and that the Court of Shadows can judge the Ghost later. The Roach reluctantly agrees to help steal the key, while forcing Cardan to promise that if they are discovered, Cardan will flee to safety. Cardan reveals that Cardan wears Mother Marrow’s cloak, which can turn blades, and the three sneak through Madoc’s camp toward Grimsen’s forge.

Inside the forge, Jude finds the crystal key while Cardan and the Roach look over Grimsen’s dangerous creations, including Madoc’s unfinished sword. A trap springs when the Roach crosses the room: darts fire from the wall, and Cardan steps in front of Jude, using the cloak to deflect the needles. A mechanical bird raises the alarm, and Jude discovers that the Roach has been struck by deathsweet; Cardan carries the Roach away, hoping the Bomb can make an antidote, and gives Jude the protective cloak before ordering Jude to run to Vivi and Taryn.

Jude lies about going directly to Jude’s sisters and instead uses the chaos at the forge as cover to reach the cave where the Ghost was imprisoned. The guards are gone, but so is the Ghost. Madoc waits there in armor, announces that Jude is too late, and draws his sword, turning Jude’s rescue plan into a confrontation.