In the morning at Nal Gorgoth, Bachel gives Murtagh a pale sword and orders him and Thorn to serve Grieve. She doses both of them again with the Breath, deepening their obedience, and Grieve climbs onto Thorn behind Murtagh with a dagger pressed to Murtagh’s ribs.

Grieve directs Thorn north along the Bay of Fundor, where the clean winter air briefly cuts through Murtagh’s stupor. They meet one of Bachel’s armed parties, which reports that the so-called Orthroc are beyond a ridge. Grieve orders Murtagh and Thorn to lead the attack, kill anyone who resists, seize the supplies, and leave any fleeing people for the cultists.

Thorn descends on the camp, terrifying the horses and causing chaos. Still drugged and obedient, Murtagh fights with practiced brutality, killing those before him even after taking an arrow in the shoulder. Thorn burns and tears through the camp, while Grieve remains on Thorn’s back and the Draumar largely hold back.

When the fighting ends, Murtagh realizes the dead are not monstrous enemies or Urgals but human tribespeople, including women and children. Horror overwhelms the battle-fury and Bachel’s seductive promises of conquest. Murtagh and Thorn recognize that they have been made to massacre refugees, but Grieve’s command still prevents Thorn from moving freely.

Grieve uses a bird-skull amulet to remove the arrow and seal Murtagh’s wound, then orders the cultists to gather the stolen supplies. Thorn carries the bundles back to Nal Gorgoth. Bachel, Alín, Lyreth, and the newly arrived guests see Murtagh and Thorn return covered in blood, and Lyreth mocks Murtagh before Bachel’s warriors wash Murtagh and return him to his cell.

In the dark cell, Murtagh is crushed by guilt and the realization that he and Thorn cannot keep living under Bachel’s control, yet cannot free themselves alone. When Uvek asks from across the hall what is wrong, Murtagh forces out a single plea: help.