Alaric meets with Kesathese High Command to discuss distributing rice to former Sardovian territories whose fields were destroyed in the war. Commodore Lisu questions why resources are being spent on relief instead of security and implies that Alaric’s judgment may be compromised by Talasyn. Alaric argues that feeding the populace will prevent rebels from gaining support, while General Vim unexpectedly defends Talasyn by reminding the council that she killed insurgents during the coronation attack.

Alaric reinforces Talasyn’s loyalty in political terms, telling High Command that the marriage treaty binds her and that threats against Nenavar will keep her aligned with Kesath. The discussion is interrupted when Nordaye reports that a Nenavarene messenger eagle has arrived. Alaric hurries to the rookery, anxious despite trying to frame his concern as mere curiosity.

The eagle has caused chaos among the Citadel’s ravens and skuas, but it allows Alaric to take the message. Talasyn’s stiff letter invites Alaric to Iantas in a month, when three eclipses will make it an important time to prepare for the Moonless Dark, and briefly hopes that he is feeling better. Alaric notices the formality and her signature as Alunsina Ivralis, feels newly vulnerable about what her family may know, and instructs Nordaye to reply that he will come.

In Nenavar, Talasyn travels to the Sardovian encampment in the Storm God’s Eye and meets Vela alone. Talasyn reports seeing Gaheris, encountering Darius, and learning of a resistance movement, but then confesses that the resistance attacked her coronation, many rebels died, and Hiras and others were captured. Talasyn proposes a prison rescue using what she learned about the eastern wing, but Vela refuses, saying Sardovia must conserve resources and keep Vela’s survival hidden until the right moment.

Talasyn then tells Vela that Alaric spared Hiras at her request and was tortured by Gaheris for it. Vela reveals she already knows Gaheris abused Alaric because, years earlier, Vela saw Gaheris force the young crown prince to fight through terrible pain; that sight made Vela hide her own Shadowforged abilities instead of joining the Legion. Talasyn’s sympathy for Alaric grows, but Vela warns that Alaric is still Gaheris’s creation, loyal to Kesath, and will kill Talasyn if he discovers she and Vela have deceived him before their final move.