Dorian travels with Manon, Asterin, and the Thirteen toward the Ferian Gap, using the long flight to alter his appearance piece by piece. He changes his eyes, skin, and facial features to resemble a Valg-touched wyvern handler, knowing the mission into the Northern Fang may be suicidal. Before entering, Dorian gives Manon the two Wyrdkeys and Damaris, insisting that if he does not return, the keys must reach Terrasen.

Dorian approaches the Northern Fang with Asterin's wyvern Narene, while Manon and Asterin remain hidden nearby. The mortal guards accept Dorian's disguise without question, and Dorian enters the mountain, leaves Narene in the stables, and searches for information. Manon waits anxiously outside with Abraxos, aware that she has sent Dorian into danger to confirm whether the Matrons are present and whether Petrah Blueblood commands the host.

Dorian returns successfully on Narene, his disguise intact. Dorian reports that the Matrons are absent and that only Petrah Blueblood and about three hundred Ironteeth witches from all three clans occupy the Ferian Gap. This confirms that Manon's path is open to confront the host without the immediate threat of the Matrons.

Manon leaves Dorian behind and flies with the Thirteen into the Omega, where patrols allow the Thirteen to land. Manon demands to speak with Petrah, who appears and grants Manon an audience because of her life debt. Petrah orders the host gathered, and the Ironteeth witches assemble with suspicion and contempt for their disgraced former Wing Leader.

Manon tells the witches that the Ironteeth have been fed a lie: they were made into monsters when they might have been something more. Manon reveals that her grandmother intends to rule the Wastes as High Queen, subjugating or destroying the Bluebloods and Yellowlegs after the war. When the host doubts Manon, Asterin exposes the branded word on her scarred abdomen and asks how many witches have suffered similar cruelties from their own leaders.

Manon appeals to the host to ride with Manon against Morath and forge an Ironteeth-Crochan alliance that might break the ancient curse. Manon declares that she has seen a better world where witch, human, and Fae can live in peace, and that she will fight for that future even against her own people if necessary. Petrah allows Manon and the Thirteen to depart unharmed, and Manon leaves as a figure choosing peace over the legacy of war.