In the quarters Chaol shares with Yrene, Nesryn and Sartaq report what they learned from captured soldiers: a Morath army of about ten thousand, mostly foot soldiers with cavalry and no visible Ironteeth legions, is marching northwest. The army’s intended target is Anielle, Chaol’s home, whose defenses cannot withstand such a force or shelter the whole city.

Chaol, Yrene, Hasar, Sartaq, and Nesryn debate why Erawan would move an army overland instead of using witches or the Avery. Yrene concludes that Morath means to spread terror, and Chaol realizes Erawan is demonstrating to Terrasen that he can waste time and troops destroying lands on the way north.

The group weighs whether diverting the khaganate’s forces to Anielle is strategically worthwhile. Hasar warns that Anielle may fall before they arrive and that the Ferian Gap nearby could leave them exposed to Ironteeth witches. Yrene argues that Anielle being Chaol’s home is reason enough to defend it, giving Chaol the support he needs to keep pressing for action.

Sartaq identifies a broader strategy: the army can avoid the Avery until Anielle, secure the city if possible, then campaign northward along the river toward the Ferian Gap and eventually Terrasen. Hasar recognizes the value of taking the inland route, while Sartaq proposes leaving the armada to wait for Kashin’s fleet and bringing soldiers, Darghan cavalry, and ruks inland.

Because the main force will still be at least a week behind Morath, Chaol decides Anielle must be warned immediately. Rather than send Sartaq, Chaol asks for a ruk and rider so he can go himself, and Yrene insists on accompanying him. Sartaq tells Chaol to hold Anielle’s defenses as long as possible, with the ruks a day or so behind and the foot soldiers a week behind that.