Murtagh remains imprisoned and weakened after the slaughter he was forced to commit. Alín brings him soup and bread, apologizing that events were never supposed to become so terrible, then quickly leaves. Murtagh begs Uvek for help, explaining that neither Murtagh nor Thorn can overcome Bachel’s control while poisoned and unable to use magic.

Uvek says his shamanic powers are also blocked in Nal Gorgoth, but he still has an empty healing charm that the guards dismissed as a mere stone. Uvek will only give it to Murtagh if Murtagh swears never to break faith with the Urgralgra. Murtagh refuses such a broad oath because he fears being bound again, so Uvek offers the rarer rite of qazhqargla, making them blood brothers.

After Murtagh reaches out to Thorn and receives the dragon’s resigned trust, Murtagh agrees. Uvek coaches Murtagh through Urgalish words, and Murtagh is relieved that the oath does not use the ancient language. The two cut their wrists, press their blood together through the cell bars, and complete the rite, joining their honor and obligations as brothers.

Uvek gives Murtagh the charm, but the charm contains no power, and Murtagh cannot place his own strength into it because the drugs block his magic. After sleeping, Murtagh finds the yellow diamond hidden in his cloak, remembers it holds stored energy, and hopes it can empower the charm. However, neither Murtagh nor Uvek can grasp the energy inside the gem.

Murtagh concludes that if he can remove either the Breath of Azlagûr, which clouds his mind, or the vorgethan, which blocks magic, he might have a chance to free Thorn, Uvek, and himself. When Alín returns for the bowl, Murtagh asks her to arrange to bring all his meals and leave out the drug, warning that Bachel will drown the world in blood if she succeeds. Alín is frightened and flees without agreeing, leaving Murtagh to wait and hope.