Celaena dreams that she is walking through the castle’s secret passage without a candle or guide. Following the scent of roses, she descends deeper into the castle and enters a warm chamber through a wooden door marked with a skull-shaped knocker.

Inside, Celaena discovers a hidden tomb containing two royal sarcophagi. The woman’s face is lit by moonlight, and Celaena notices a faint Wyrdmark carved into the stone. The floor is covered with star carvings, the ceiling shows the earth, and the walls are filled with interlocking Wyrdmarks, suggesting the chamber has a meaning and power Celaena cannot understand.

Celaena realizes the figures are Gavin, the first King of Adarlan, and Elena Galathynius Havilliard, the first princess of Terrasen and Gavin’s queen. The tomb’s neglect unsettles her, and she recognizes Gavin’s legendary sword, Damaris, among the treasures. When Celaena speaks the sword’s name, Elena appears in spirit-like form.

Elena tells Celaena that the eight gargoyles on the clock tower guard a portal between worlds and that Elena has risked much to reach her. Elena insists Celaena was meant to come to the castle and must stop an evil presence powerful enough to threaten all worlds. Elena also commands Celaena to win the competition and become the King’s Champion because Erilea needs someone who understands common suffering.

When a growl signals the guardians’ approach, Elena gives Celaena a gold amulet for protection and sends Celaena fleeing back through the passage. Celaena wakes in her room still dressed, out of breath, and holding the amulet, proving the encounter was not just an ordinary dream. She shuts the secret door behind the tapestry and realizes the tapestry’s woman marks Elena’s hidden doorway.

Terrified but thinking through Elena’s commands, Celaena puts on the amulet and resolves at least to search the tomb for clues. She already intends to become King’s Champion, but the command to destroy the castle’s evil troubles her, especially because Nehemia, Chaol, and Dorian could be endangered if the threat is real.