Aelin keeps her dagger at the hooded woman’s throat and gives her one sentence to justify staying alive. The woman says she is taking Aelin to the captain, then clarifies that Chaol abandoned his post at the castle three weeks earlier to join the rebel cause. The news shocks Aelin and forces her to revise her plans, which had accounted for the king and Arobynn but not the rebels.

Aelin asks about the prince, and the rebel confirms that Dorian is alive but still at the castle. With that answer, Aelin lowers the knife and steps back, though the rebel immediately reaches for a weapon before Aelin warns her off. Both women reveal their faces, and the rebel challenges Aelin’s loyalties, noting that Chaol claims Aelin is on their side despite Aelin hiding from him at the Vaults.

The rebel refuses to give her name and accuses Aelin of killing rebels during the previous winter. Aelin counters that those rebels kidnapped and beat her friends, threatened them, and were tied to Nehemia’s murder through Archer Finn. Aelin refuses to apologize and demands to be taken to Chaol instead of enduring the rebel’s judgment.

The rebel reveals that they have already arrived, and Aelin hears ragged breathing, whispers, and hurried orders in the darkness ahead. A familiar male voice says they have twenty minutes before a ship leaves. Chaol then staggers into view, helping carry a limp, starved-looking man while another armed man guards their rear; Chaol meets Aelin’s eyes but does not smile.