Murtagh spends another day as Bachel’s subdued attendant while Nal Gorgoth prepares for the festival called the time of black smoke. He sees stolen goods from the refugee massacre being used for feasting, briefly sits with Thorn, and recognizes in Thorn a deepening hatred of the Draumar. Alín avoids Murtagh at first, leaving him uncertain whether she will help.

That night, Alín comes to Murtagh’s cell in distress. She explains that she still believes in Azlagûr and fears breaking her oaths, but Bachel’s cruelty to Thorn contradicts everything Alín has been taught about revering dragons. Murtagh urges Alín to help because it is right and tells Alín that oaths can be broken for the sake of another. After Murtagh comforts Alín, Alín asks to leave with Murtagh and Thorn if they escape; Murtagh swears to take Alín with them.

Alín begins bringing Murtagh food and drink free of vorgethan, though Uvek remains drugged because another cultist, Isvar, controls Uvek’s meals. Murtagh slowly regains some bodily strength but still struggles to think because Bachel continues exposing him to the Breath. Some of Bachel’s guests depart toward the Bay of Fundor, while Lyreth and his companions stay behind, and Murtagh grows more worried that the festival will involve him and Thorn.

As Murtagh paces his cell to clear the drug from his blood, Alín tells him that Zar’roc and his armor are kept in Bachel’s presence chamber. Murtagh asks Alín to ready Thorn with food, water, saddle, and unlocked shackles if possible, and Alín promises only to try. Uvek warns that Alín remains uncertain, then tells Murtagh an Urgal tale about Ahno the Trickster learning not to run with a pack that does not want him.

During the night, Murtagh is overwhelmed by terrible visions. He relives fleeing Urû’baen with Tornac, only for Galbatorix’s soldiers to intercept them outside the postern gate. Tornac attacks first, Murtagh joins the fight, and together they kill the soldiers, but Tornac is fatally stabbed while saving Murtagh. Tornac dies urging Murtagh to take his charm, go free, and remember his message to Ola.

The visions shift to the black-sun plain and then to Nasuada in a field beneath a darkening sky, reinforcing Murtagh’s fear of doom and separation. Murtagh wakes to bells, cymbals, and cries from the village; Uvek says the time of black smoke has arrived. Murtagh tries to draw energy from the yellow diamond into Uvek’s charm, but the vorgethan has not cleared enough, and cultists arrive before Murtagh can act.