After Kaltain destroys part of Morath, Elide cries as Manon and the Thirteen fly her north. They land in Oakwald at sunset, where Elide sleeps clutching Kaltain’s scrap of cloak and the hidden stone. In the morning, Elide washes away the remnants of Morath, changes into the clothes left for her, and keeps Kaltain’s gift safely in an inner pocket.

Manon tells Elide not to waste tears because Kaltain acted to free herself, not simply to save them. Elide still honors Kaltain for saving their lives and ending the suffering of the witches in the catacombs. When Elide asks what comes next, Manon says the witches must return to Morath, but Elide cannot go with them without creating suspicion.

Manon tells Elide to travel north through the forests toward Terrasen, away from roads, inns, and the mountains. Elide panics because she cannot read and has no map, but Manon reveals that the King of Adarlan is dead, Aelin Galathynius shattered the glass castle, Aedion Ashryver helped her, and Ren Allsbrook may be rebelling in the North. The news transforms Elide’s fear into hope and gives her a destination tied to her lost homeland and surviving kin.

Elide considers running south now that Vernon will believe her dead, but Elide chooses instead to go north, find Celaena Sardothien for Kaltain, and seek Aelin in Terrasen. Manon gives Elide a pack with money, three daggers, and practical survival warnings, then unlocks the ankle chains Elide has still been wearing. Their farewell is unexpectedly respectful: Elide thanks Manon, and Manon bows back.

Elide walks into Oakwald alone, determined not to look back. As the Thirteen fly overhead, Abraxos seems to circle in farewell, and Elide raises a hand to him. With Kaltain’s stone in her pocket and a prayer to Anneith for guidance, Elide begins limping north toward Terrasen, choosing to fight rather than run.