Thorn flies for hours after fleeing Gil’ead, his mind sealed by terror while Murtagh forces himself to project calm despite cold, pain, and guilt over the fires left behind. When Thorn finally lands near the eastern plains, Murtagh comforts the trembling dragon. Thorn fears he has killed people and blames himself for his weakness, but Murtagh insists Galbatorix’s abuse caused the fear and promises they will face it together.

Murtagh hunts a deer for Thorn, killing it with a shard of bone and magic. As Murtagh carries the carcass back, Murtagh remembers Thorn’s childhood imprisonment under Galbatorix: chains, confinement, guards, punishment, and the growing terror of enclosed spaces. The memory explains why Thorn panicked in Gil’ead and deepens Murtagh’s anger, even as Murtagh knows revenge cannot undo the damage.

After Thorn eats, Murtagh accepts that going to Ilirea and Nasuada is now impossible because Thorn’s destruction in Gil’ead will confirm their worst reputation and could force Nasuada to punish or confine Thorn. Murtagh considers taking Thorn to Eragon and Saphira at Mount Arngor but rejects the idea out of pride, distrust of showing weakness, and determination to confront Bachel and the Dreamers himself.

Murtagh then recounts his time in Gil’ead to Thorn, including Captain Wren’s company, the hidden chambers, the Ra’zac egg, and the fight with Arven and the guards. Thorn agrees the Ra’zac remain dangerous, especially if controlled by magic. Murtagh wishes his letter to Nasuada had warned her about Lyreth’s faction, but he decides no safe way remains to send that information. The pair resolve to return north toward the Bay of Fundor and follow Carabel’s clue to the village connected with Bachel.

That night, Murtagh sleeps badly, tormented by memories of Gil’ead, Silna, past battles, Muckmaw, Morzan, his mother, and the dungeons where Galbatorix broke him and Thorn. In the frosty morning, Murtagh practices with Zar’roc to steady himself and Thorn, then begins helping Thorn confront his terror by entering a stand of birch trees and calling Thorn toward him.

Thorn repeatedly tries to enter the trees but panics when branches and confinement trigger memories of imprisonment. Murtagh urges Thorn to remember the best parts of his true name and keep trying, but after several attempts both are exhausted. Thorn nevertheless vows to find another stand of trees the next day, and Murtagh promises to help. They pack up and fly north together, choosing motion, hunting, and shared determination over surrender.