Hadrian arrives at the dueling grotto at Borosevo Castle, still healing from the Umandh attack and dressed for a formal duel. Valka is absent, but Switch serves as Hadrian’s second, while Anaïs, Dorian, and Sir Elomas Redgrave attend as witnesses. Hadrian notices Gilliam’s deformities and initially underestimates him, though Gilliam’s used fencing glove hints at experience.

The officiants explain the rules of the duel palatine: the combat continues until first blood, at which point the unbloodied combatant may end the engagement; if not, the duel continues until one combatant cannot fight. Hadrian intends to cut Gilliam first, stop the duel, and salvage some honor from his rash challenge.

Once the duel begins, Gilliam proves much faster and more skilled than Hadrian expected. Hadrian’s confidence collapses into caution as Gilliam presses him hard. Hadrian thinks of Valka and his own recklessness, then Gilliam unexpectedly cuts Hadrian’s forearm, winning first blood and placing the choice to stop or continue in Gilliam’s hands.

Gilliam refuses to end the duel and attacks again, forcing the contest toward death. Hadrian wounds Gilliam in the thigh and hip but repeatedly refuses clear killing blows, insisting that he does not want to kill him. Anaïs calls out that Hadrian is playing with Gilliam, which intensifies Gilliam’s rage; Gilliam denounces Hadrian as a heretic, abomination, spy, and threat to his people.

As the older narrator briefly reflects from his cell at Colchis, the duel reaches its end without grandeur. Gilliam lunges once more, and Hadrian’s riposte drives the blade into Gilliam’s ribs, apparently puncturing a lung. Hadrian frees the sword and kneels beside the dying priest, horrified by what he has done.

Tradition forbids medical intervention, so Gilliam dies slowly on the grass. Before dying, Gilliam reaches toward Anaïs and Dorian and warns them not to trust someone, clearly meaning Hadrian. Anaïs flees in distress, Dorian calls after her, and once Gilliam is dead a centurion from Count Mataro’s guard orders Hadrian to come with her.