Celaena dreams that she has been returned to Endovier, shackled in the mines and whipped until the pain overwhelms her. She wakes screaming in her rooms beneath the glass castle, where Chaol has come before dawn and reassures her that it was only a dream. The nightmare leaves Celaena shaken, especially because the sweat on her back feels like blood and reminds her of her scars.

Chaol explains that it is Samhuinn and that he is canceling their morning training so he can attend the religious service. Celaena is surprised that she lost track of the holiday and asks about the feast, but Chaol tells her she is not invited. They argue lightly about superstition, the gods, and the dead, before Chaol leaves her with a warning that Brullo still expects afternoon training and that another Test is scheduled for the next day.

After the service, Dorian walks through the gardens, irritated by his mother's attempts to parade eligible women before him. He runs into Celaena, Nehemia, and Chaol. Dorian is pleased to see Celaena but awkwardly comments on her outdated dress, worsening her annoyance over being excluded from the feast.

Dorian's thoughts reveal a larger political threat: Duke Perrington wants to send more forces into Eyllwe and keep Nehemia in Rifthold to discourage rebellion. Dorian has argued against the plan and delayed it until the king returns, but he cannot warn Nehemia without risking being exposed as sympathetic to the rebels. Celaena and Nehemia tease Dorian in Eyllwe, then leave together, leaving Dorian frustrated and Chaol amused.

As Celaena, Nehemia, and Chaol continue walking, Nehemia challenges Chaol over serving the King of Adarlan, and Celaena interrupts before the conversation becomes dangerous. Nehemia asks Celaena to tutor her daily in the common language, while Celaena asks Nehemia to help her improve her Eyllwe. Chaol objects, but Nehemia presses her authority as princess, and Celaena begins considering how to arrange the lessons when Chaol is not watching.

Near the clock tower, the group finds Cain kneeling by the flagstones with dirt-covered hands. After Cain leaves, Celaena notices that he has cleared dirt from a strange carved mark. Nehemia identifies it as a Wyrdmark from an ancient, forgotten religion and sharply warns Celaena to leave such things alone. When Celaena notices more marks, Nehemia studies Celaena's forehead and says Celaena is hiding something and is more than she seems; unsettled, Celaena redirects the conversation, and the two girls agree to begin secret language lessons the next day.