Murtagh flees Ceunon through the open gate as alarms sound behind him. While running across dark, snow-dusted fields toward Thorn, Murtagh reflects on being unwanted, on his brief friendship with Eragon, and on the bitter family history that still feeds Murtagh’s resentment and pain.

Murtagh reaches Thorn outside the city and reassures the anxious dragon that the blood on Murtagh’s clothes is not Murtagh’s. They fly east to a remote knoll, where Murtagh cleans his stained shirt by magic, shelters beneath Thorn’s wing, and shares the full memory of what happened in Ceunon. Thorn recognizes that a larger danger lies ahead, though neither Thorn nor Murtagh yet understands its size or shape.

Before sleeping, Murtagh and Thorn each speak their true name in the ancient language, a nightly act of self-knowledge and protection after their enslavement by Galbatorix. In the morning, Murtagh makes a small fire, eats, and lays out the bird-skull amulet and the coal-like stone for examination.

Thorn smells the stone and reacts with fear, saying it carries the scent of blood, hate, and anger. Thorn urges Murtagh to destroy or bury it and heed Umaroth’s warning, but Murtagh refuses because he fears being outmatched by an unknown enemy again. The disagreement exposes their different desires: Thorn wants freedom and safety, while Murtagh wants answers, usefulness, and a chance to act as a Rider should.

Murtagh considers where to seek information about Bachel and the stone. Thorn suggests Yarek Lackhand, Galbatorix’s former spymaster, but Murtagh rejects that as too dangerous and conspicuous. Thorn then suggests Ilenna of Gil’ead, whose family once gathered information for Galbatorix, and Murtagh reluctantly admits she is their best lead despite his dread of the city.

Before leaving, Murtagh sharpens his dagger, shaves his beard, and notices how thin and worn he has become. Thorn remarks that Murtagh is himself again. Murtagh mounts Thorn, and the two fly toward Gil’ead, committed to pursuing the mystery despite the risks.