Lysandra wakes in a rough tent with terrible pain from the wound an ilken tore into her thigh. Aedion tells her Perranth has been yielded, the army has been fleeing for two days, and a southern storm has slowed Morath just enough for them to rest before pushing toward Orynth. He also reveals that Lysandra shifted back into her own body while healers stitched her leg, exposing to the soldiers that Aelin had not truly been with them.

Aedion explains that he told the army Aelin is away on a secret, vital quest, but Lysandra understands the damage the revelation has done to morale. Aedion apologizes for how he treated Lysandra and recognizes that Lysandra risked death for Terrasen and Aelin. Lysandra rejects the apology, naming the humiliation of being thrown into the snow and called a liar before their allies, and tells Aedion that nearly dying should not have been required for him to see her humanity.

After leaving Lysandra, Aedion encounters Darrow and Ren outside his tent. Darrow has learned about Lysandra’s impersonation of Aelin and Nox Owen’s role in helping move the army beyond Darrow’s control. Darrow strips Aedion of rank for disobedience, defeat, and the loss of Perranth; threatens Lysandra with execution if she impersonates Aelin again; and demands the Sword of Orynth, which Aedion surrenders despite Ren’s protest.

News of Aedion’s disgrace spreads through the camp, deepening the soldiers’ despair. One young Bane soldier reflects on dead friends, the false hope of believing Aelin was with them, and the growing certainty that he will never return home, but he decides not to abandon the army because he swore to protect Terrasen and his family.

The army resumes its flight through falling snow for two more days. Kyllian refuses to truly replace Aedion, continuing to seek Aedion’s judgment despite Darrow’s decree, while Lysandra avoids Aedion and rides near Ren and the healers. Scouts report that Morath is gaining fast, and the army faces a crucial choice: risk the Florine River, the southern bridge, or a longer northern route toward Orynth.

Lysandra shifts into a falcon to scout ahead despite her injured leg. When Lysandra returns, Ren reports that the Florine has no ice and Morath scouts have burned the southern bridge. With Morath driving them northward, Orynth still out of reach, and the river too wide, deep, and freezing to cross, Aedion’s army realizes it is trapped.