33 North

Confined aboard a quarantined ship, Wulf watches Eydag deteriorate from the Issýn’s red affliction. As seizures begin and two other infected men rage and burn, Eydag pleads for release. Wulf comforts her and accepts her sunstone, but cannot kill her. When Eydag screams in agony, Vell stabs her through the heart to spare her suffering; soon after, the others fall silent and die.

At dawn, Regny arrives with Karlsten and takes in the carnage. She covers Wulf, dismisses Karlsten’s suspicion, and brings Wulf and the shattered Vell ashore by boat. They land at Eldyng, revealing they had been anchored there for days, and ride by cart through the bustling city toward the hillfort of Bithandun, as Wulf grimly observes how closely the townsfolk live and handle shared water and food.

Inside the Silver Hall, King Bardholt receives them. Learning Eydag and the others are dead, he orders the ship burned at midnight and vows as bonesmith and king to implore the Saint to admit Eydag. He commands secrecy and sends Vell to a healer, then questions how Wulf, who interposed himself during the Issýn attack, survived untouched.

Bardholt rejects superstition, credits Saintly favor, and affirms Wulf’s courage. He reveals an attempt on Princess Glorian and declares they will sail for Inys at dawn and remain through the royal wedding, refusing to risk spreading the sickness. Weighed by grief, Wulf steps back into the cold, only to be steadied and embraced by Thrit, and finally allows himself to weep.