Henri secures a room above a lively Fortos tavern so he and Diem can avoid camping on the rocky ground. While Henri tries to distract Diem with realm gossip, Diem remains fixated on the army storehouse and the caged flameroot powder she believes is identical to her own supply. The discovery makes Diem question why a medicine would be controlled by the Crowns and how Auralie obtained it.

Henri notices Diem’s distraction and asks what is wrong. Diem admits she has run out of flameroot and asks whether Henri has ever seen it in his courier work, but when Henri offers to ask other couriers, Diem panics and stops him. Fearing that Henri could be endangered if anyone learns he is seeking a Crown-locked substance, Diem lies that Auralie’s records may hold the recipe and tries to end the conversation.

Brecke Holdern, a swaggering army bladesmith and friend of Henri’s, interrupts before Henri can press Diem further. Brecke immediately notices Diem’s grey eyes and scrutinizes her, prompting Diem to defend herself sharply and challenge his suspicions. Henri introduces Diem as Diem Bellator, and Brecke connects her to Andrei and Auralie.

Brecke reveals that he knew Auralie from the army and once made her a weapon, surprising Diem and deepening the sense that Auralie’s past held more secrets than Diem understood. Brecke offers to make Diem a better weapon, then produces a small Fortosian steel blade capable of piercing Descended skin. Diem is tempted by the practical value of carrying such a weapon while working near the Descended palace, but she insists she cannot afford it.

Instead of payment, Brecke asks Diem to owe him one future favor. Henri objects and tries to add limits, but Diem agrees after ruling out anything illegal or intimate. Diem accepts the dagger, recognizes how well it suits concealment and combat, and Brecke laughs at Henri’s anxiety, urging him to hold on to Diem if he can.