Inej wakes aboard the Ferolind after nearly four days unconscious from Oomen’s knife wound. Nina has been keeping vigil beside her and breaks down in relief when Inej speaks. Inej is weak, thirsty, and in pain, but Nina has managed to keep her alive.

Nina explains that Pekka Rollins hired the Black Tips and Razorgulls to stop Kaz’s crew at Fifth Harbor, though the crew still does not know how Pekka learned their departure point. Nina also tells Inej that Kaz killed Oomen and many others during the fight. Inej asks Nina not to tell Kaz she is awake until morning, partly because Kaz has reduced his concern for her to the language of investment.

As Inej rests, Nina asks why Inej does not wear the Dregs’ cup-and-crow tattoo. Inej explains that after Kaz arranged for Per Haskell to buy out her indenture from the Menagerie, Inej had Tante Heleen’s peacock feather tattoo brutally cut from her arm. Kaz trained Inej, gave Inej her first knife, allowed Inej to join the Dregs without being marked again, and helped create the fearsome identity of the Wraith.

Inej then admits that boats bring back painful memories. While Nina sings a crude Kerch drinking song to keep Inej present, Inej remembers being fourteen, sleeping in her family’s caravan on the coast of West Ravka, and being kidnapped by slavers. Inej was taken with other children by ship, handed over to Tante Heleen, and inspected like merchandise; Inej thought of jumping into the sea but was too frightened to do it.

The memory leaves Inej confronting the gap between the helpless girl she was and the legend Kaz helped her become. Nina continues singing badly, and Inej asks to learn the chorus. The two women sing together, out of tune, until the lanterns burn low.