Manon lands Abraxos abruptly before the king’s traveling party, startling the horses while the Thirteen circle overhead. The king remains calm, and Dorian, riding beside him, cringes in a way that reminds Manon of the creature she saw in Morath.

Manon reports that rebels attacked the wagon holding the king’s prisoner and that Manon slaughtered them. Manon uses the report to assert that the Thirteen will not serve as prisoner transport and that Manon will take no prisoners when facing the king’s enemies. When Manon challenges Dorian by name, Dorian meets Manon’s eyes, and Manon sees no darkness there, only a man trapped inside himself.

Although Manon had planned to reveal Aelin, Aedion, Rowan, and Chaol to the king, Manon withholds the information because the injured humans cannot travel quickly and because Manon owes Aelin a life debt. Instead, Manon needles the king by suggesting Dorian should be sent to Morath, then reminds the king that, despite Manon’s grandmother being High Witch, Manon leads the armies.

Before leaving, Manon questions the king about the mirror weapon Manon’s grandmother is building and whether the king truly intends to use Kaltain’s shadowfire with it. Manon understands the design as massive transportable battle towers lined with ancient mirrors that will amplify power into a weapon of extermination, capable of destroying armies without real combat. The king warns Manon that Manon asks too many questions, but Manon departs on Abraxos, watching Dorian below and wondering what it feels like to be trapped in his body.

At Morath, Elide Lochan waits anxiously for the delayed supply wagon, intending to use its arrival as a chance to escape. After days of fear and preparation, the wagon finally reaches the Keep, and Elide hurries toward Manon’s tower to collect the food and water Elide has hidden. When Elide enters Manon’s room, Elide finds Vernon waiting on Manon’s bed, and Vernon asks whether Elide is going somewhere.