At midnight in Rifthold, Aedion meets Ren, Murtaugh, and Chaol in the apartment where Ren and Murtaugh have been hiding. After receiving a cautious invitation from Sol of Suria, Aedion orders Ren to leave for Suria in two days by the southern gate, arguing that Ren is too recognizable in the capital and more useful to Terrasen alive and free.

Ren resists the plan, and Chaol reveals that he will soon go to Anielle to honor the bargain he made to send Aelin to Wendlyn. Their tense strategy meeting is interrupted when Murtaugh bursts in breathless and announces that Aelin is alive in Wendlyn. He reports that news is spreading through the city: Aelin fought Narrok’s legion in the Cambrian Mountains, helped destroy the force, and wielded immense fire magic.

The news transforms the rebels’ plans. Aedion understands Aelin’s victory as a public declaration that the lost queen is alive, powerful, and finished hiding. Murtaugh decides to leave for Terrasen immediately before the king can suppress the rumor, while Aedion instructs him to warn the Bane to lie low but keep rebel supply lines open. Chaol stops Murtaugh long enough to beg him to send word to Eyllwe that its people should hold on and prepare to fight back.

Murtaugh and his riders spread the message across the continent. The news passes from kingdom to kingdom, tavern to tavern, and rebel meeting to rebel meeting: Aelin Galathynius lives and is willing to stand against Adarlan. The message reaches distant lands, including Eyllwe, becoming a rallying cry for resistance.

In the glass castle, Dorian watches his father erupt in fury over Aelin’s victory. The king executes ministers for trying to calm him, and Dorian hides his horror behind his princely mask. Although frightened by the consequences of Aelin openly defying the king and defeating Narrok, Dorian takes hope from the proof that Aelin has not forgotten her friends; he resolves to keep pretending for Sorscha’s safety until he and the others can free magic and change the world with Aelin when she returns.