Lyreth hurries Murtagh through Gil’ead to a small stone house hidden among poorer dwellings. Murtagh tracks the route in case he needs to flee. Inside, the house proves unexpectedly lavish, and thirteen chairs around the dining table reveal its original purpose: Formora, one of the Forsworn, built it as a private sanctuary and meeting place shielded from Galbatorix and his servants.

Lyreth offers Murtagh fine wine and delicacies, and the two begin a careful contest for information. Murtagh remembers Lyreth as one of the cruel noble youths who tormented him at court, including an ambush on Murtagh’s fifteenth birthday. Murtagh needles Lyreth about his family’s reduced circumstances and about Galbatorix’s fall, while Lyreth probes for details about Galbatorix’s death, Murtagh’s escape from Urû’baen, and Thorn’s movements.

Lyreth reveals that his family is not alone in hiding. Other powerful former imperial nobles are waiting and consolidating power, and earlier rebels such as Hamlin and Tharos failed because they acted too soon. Lyreth then tries to recruit Murtagh, arguing that the great families would support him if he claimed the throne from Nasuada and restored their influence.

Murtagh is disturbed to realize the offer tempts him: with Thorn, he could seize power, protect himself, and restore his family’s name. But doing so would require overthrowing Nasuada, whose trust helped free him from Galbatorix, so Murtagh rejects the idea inwardly and without regret.

Instead of answering Lyreth directly, Murtagh produces the bird-skull amulet from Ceunon and asks whether Lyreth recognizes it. Lyreth denies knowledge of it. Murtagh considers forcibly invading Lyreth’s mind to learn the nobles’ plans, but pauses because Lyreth seems too calm for someone facing a Dragon Rider.

Murtagh finally refuses Lyreth’s offer, declares that he and Thorn answer to no one, and says he will learn the truth of Lyreth’s schemes. Before Murtagh can attack, Lyreth triggers a hidden mechanism in the table. The floor drops away beneath Murtagh, and he falls into darkness.