Dorian and Rowan are brought to Captain Rolfe’s office in Skull’s Bay, where Rolfe makes them wait while he watches the stormy harbor. After tense introductions, Rolfe recognizes Rowan as Fae and Dorian as the displaced king of Adarlan.

Rolfe reveals that messengers have announced Dorian as a traitor, with Duke Perrington claiming the throne, blaming Dorian and Aelin for Rifthold’s destruction, and naming Dorian’s brother Hollin as heir. The news unsettles Dorian, who realizes his mother and brother are vulnerable in the mountains, but Dorian forces himself to focus on why he came: to learn whether Rolfe will stand against Morath.

Rolfe says he intends to protect only his own territory, but Rowan presses him about the eastern islands. Rolfe removes his gloves and shows the living map tattooed on his hands; the eastern archipelago is gray and frozen on it, shielded by enemy magic. Rolfe explains that Morath took the Dead Islands, bred sea-wyverns for naval warfare, and devastated his fleet and crew when he fought to reclaim Skull’s Bay.

Dorian realizes Rolfe’s crew was not merely killed but captured and returned with Valg demons inside them, controlled by rings. Rowan explains the Valg, their princes, and Erawan’s true identity. This unnerves Rolfe, but Rolfe still doubts that clearing the Dead Islands would matter against Morath’s larger power.

Rowan and Dorian argue that holding the archipelago could let allied fleets attack from the sea while armies strike by land, and Dorian says Chaol is in Antica seeking help. Rolfe dismisses the hope of foreign aid and hints at troubling new information. Before Rowan can demand answers, Rolfe signals for someone, and two powerful golden-haired Fae males enter; one taunts Rowan about his hair, and Rowan responds by throwing a dagger into the wall beside him.