In the River-bubble version of Canaan House, Harrowhark follows Abigail Pent and Magnus Quinn through snow, blood, organic growths, and remnants that include Ninth House tools and skeletons. Abigail leads Harrow to a familiar locked Lyctoral chamber, now used as a refuge by the dead who have chosen to remain.

Inside, Dulcinea Septimus studies papers, Marta Dyas prepares old guns, Protesilaus Ebdoma admits them, and Ortus Nigenad waits upstairs. Abigail explains that Harrow summoned Jeannemary and Isaac along with the others, but Abigail has already returned the children to the River. Abigail says she can help spirits leave, but the remaining ghosts have chosen to risk themselves; she also argues that something is wrong in the River and that there may be a true beyond that the Emperor does not understand.

Harrow speaks privately with Ortus. Ortus reveals that he learned Marshal Crux planted the bomb that killed Ortus and Ortus’s mother, and Harrow tries to accept responsibility because Harrow arranged for Ortus to flee the Ninth. Ortus refuses to make Harrow solely culpable and instead reflects on his own cowardice and failure to serve as Harrow’s cavalier.

When Ortus asks how Gideon Nav died, Harrow describes Gideon’s death as murder: Gideon was trapped in an impossible situation and chose the means of her death so Harrow could survive and become a Lyctor. Harrow breaks down, insisting Gideon died because Harrow let her, and Ortus comforts Harrow, acknowledging that Harrow and Gideon were neglected children forced to bear the Ninth House’s burdens too young. Ortus then declares that he will stay and fight the Sleeper with Harrow, hoping for heroism in death where he failed in life.

After Ortus drops a book, Harrow sees an old inscription reading “One flesh, one end. G. & P.” and recognizes the P as Pyrrha Dve. This makes Harrow realize her brain alteration has been replacing more than Gideon Nav’s name: the Saint of Duty’s name is not Ortus, and the mechanism has likely overwritten another Gideon’s name as well. Before Harrow can pursue the revelation, Abigail calls everyone together and reveals the plan: with candles, words, and the ghosts’ help, Abigail intends to exorcise the Sleeper.