Jude finds Madoc waiting for her and understands that he has come prepared to fight. Madoc explains that he did not recognize Jude immediately but realized the truth from Jude's reaction to the map of Elfhame and the accumulated inconsistencies in her behavior while pretending to be Taryn.

Jude asks about the Ghost, and Madoc corrects her by using part of the Ghost's true name, Garrett. Madoc says Jude cannot stop him in time, implying the Ghost has already been sent after Cardan. When Madoc questions Jude's loyalty to Cardan, Jude says that perhaps Elfhame should be ruled by a queen, revealing both ambition and defiance despite Madoc's attempt to make Cardan seem unworthy.

Madoc orders Jude to surrender and accept punishment, but Jude refuses to be in his power. Jude runs through the snow, driven by fear and by the memory of Madoc killing Jude's mother, but Jude realizes that fleeing may lead Madoc toward Vivi, Taryn, and Heather. Jude turns back and surprises Madoc with a knife strike into a weak point of his armor.

The advantage lasts only briefly. Madoc knocks Jude down, then presses Jude with superior reach, armor, and skill, forcing Jude to defend until exhaustion narrows Jude's options. Mother Marrow's protective cloak resists one sword blow, giving Jude an opening to cut Madoc's hand, but Madoc uses the cloak to pull Jude in and stabs Jude in the side and stomach.

Jude collapses, bleeding heavily, shocked that Madoc did not hold back a killing blow against the child he raised. As Madoc prepares to finish Jude, black arrows strike from the darkness, wounding Madoc and forcing him to turn away. Vivi and Taryn emerge, and with them comes Grima Mog on a ragwort pony, armed and ready to intervene.