Three days after the first Test, Celaena trains with Chaol in the royal game park and struggles badly with her weakened body. Determined not to lose to Cain, Renault, or any other Champion, Celaena has begun waking earlier to improve her stamina, but the run makes her vomit and exposes how far Endovier has left her from her former strength.

When Chaol notices the scars on Celaena’s exposed back, Celaena tells Chaol the three largest marks came from twenty-one lashes on Celaena’s first day in Endovier. Chaol asks what Celaena did to deserve them, and Celaena sharply rejects the idea that anyone deserves such punishment. Celaena describes receiving no help until a young woman gave Celaena salve the next morning, then reveals that four overseers later raped and killed the woman.

Celaena explains that the overseers’ crime helped trigger the day Celaena “snapped” and killed them, though Celaena feels they died too quickly. Chaol quietly asks whether guards ever assaulted Celaena, and Celaena says the guards feared Celaena enough to stay away, especially after Celaena almost reached the wall during a violent outburst. The exchange leaves Chaol softer toward Celaena, though Celaena does not fully understand his reaction, and Celaena resumes running toward the hill.

The following afternoon, the Champions gather while Brullo lectures them on weapons. During the session, Sven, one of the discharged soldiers competing as a Champion, shoves a guard unconscious and rushes toward the balcony doors in an apparent escape attempt. Before Sven can reach the doors, Chaol’s men shoot an arrow through Sven’s throat and kill Sven instantly.

The room freezes as guards surround the Champions and archers aim from the mezzanine. Nox, standing near Celaena, whispers that he knew the guards were serious but is shaken by the execution; Nox also reveals that Nox’s sponsor promised Nox immunity if Nox loses the competition. Celaena remains still, knowing any sudden movement could get Celaena killed.

Celaena studies Sven’s body and concludes Sven likely did not truly expect to escape. Instead, Celaena believes Sven chose death as a final assertion of humanity and agency rather than continue playing the king’s game. Remembering Endovier and the day Celaena nearly touched the wall, Celaena silently prays for Sven and wishes Sven well.