Before dawn in Orynth, Kyllian wakes Aedion in the Great Hall, where exhausted soldiers sleep after another week of siege warfare. The Thirteen’s sacrifice bought the defenders only a single day of rest before Morath resumed its assault, and Aedion prepares for battle despite fresh wounds and deep fatigue.

Instead of immediately going to the walls, Aedion goes to the north tower to meet Lysandra. Their quiet morning walk has become a small ritual amid the war: he escorts Lysandra at night and meets Lysandra again at dawn, sometimes with Evangeline. Before breakfast, Lysandra stops Aedion and silently embraces him, leaning on him as exhaustion and grief overtake her, and Aedion holds her until both are ready to face the day.

At the castle aerie, Petrah Blueblood tells Manon that the witches are running low on arrows and suggests some lesser covens remain behind to craft more. Manon agrees, but Manon remains hollowed out by the Thirteen’s deaths and survives only by forcing herself to keep moving. Manon recalls Ansel of Briarcliff approaching her the night before, expressing sympathy for the losses and offering to share the Wastes if Manon breaks the curse, preserving the old Witch Kingdom’s borders while keeping the rest.

Petrah then urges Manon to stay off the battlefield and rest, pointing out that Manon is not sleeping and that exhaustion could kill Manon or endanger those who depend on her. Manon rejects the advice, insisting no one else rests and that Petrah is not in command. Though Manon recognizes the wisdom in Petrah’s warning, Manon refuses to stop and goes to seek Bronwen, determined to fight again.

By midday, Evangeline runs messages along the battlements while Darrow and the old lords monitor the battle. A Crochan messenger brings Bronwen’s warning that Morath is hauling a siege tower toward the western wall, which should arrive within hours. The news alarms Evangeline, who sees the massive structure approaching beyond the fighting soldiers, witches, and Lysandra in wyvern form.

Murtaugh decides to leave the safety of the battlements and go to the western wall himself, noting that Aedion, Ren, and Kyllian are stretched too thin. Darrow does not stop him, though Darrow’s worry is plain. Evangeline watches Murtaugh go with dread and admiration, thinking he is the sort of grandfather she would have chosen for herself.