Aedion, Lysandra, and their allies enter Orynth through the western gate after the retreat. The city is unnaturally quiet, its white walls stained and its people rushing grimly to prepare for siege. With mountains, forest, and Morath’s army hemming them in, Aedion recognizes that Orynth and its people are trapped, and he blames his own choices for the dead left behind.

As the group climbs toward the castle, Aedion notes the grief among their allies, especially Ansel, who has been silent since her warriors’ severed heads were thrown into their ranks. Ilias keeps close to Ansel in quiet support. The once-bright castle now feels stripped and dead, another reminder of what Adarlan and war have taken from Terrasen.

In the council chamber, Darrow and the other Terrasen lords wait with Murtaugh. Darrow asks about Kyllian, and Aedion lies that Kyllian stayed behind to lead the army. Rolfe introduces himself as commander in Aelin’s armada and heir to the Mycenians, making the lords realize that the long-vanished people have returned to honor an old debt.

Lysandra angrily rebukes Darrow when he implies Aelin’s authority is still questionable, pointing out that Rolfe, Ansel, Galan, the Fae royals, and the Silent Assassins all came because of Aelin, not because of the lords. Darrow dismisses Lysandra, but Aedion defends her service on the front lines. Murtaugh defuses the argument by telling Lysandra that Evangeline is waiting for her in the north tower, and Galan redirects the meeting to siege preparations.

After the meeting, Aedion follows Lysandra’s scent and finds her not with Evangeline, but in the stripped throne room. They stand before the empty dais where Terrasen’s antler throne once stood. Lysandra admits that some part of her had believed she would live to see Aelin seated there, and Aedion quietly confesses that he had believed the same.