Without Evangeline slowing the group, Aelin, Aedion, and Lysandra travel hard toward Terrasen’s coast. Aelin stays in Fae form to match Aedion’s pace, while Lysandra scouts ahead in bird shapes using lessons Rowan gave her. As they pass through the depleted lowlands, Aelin sees abandoned farms, poor estates, and hungry people, and her guilt over Terrasen’s suffering deepens.

Aelin first leaves gold for the people who unknowingly help them, but she eventually stops because the gestures begin to feel like bribes to her own conscience. After a week, the group reaches Ilium, an ancient port at the mouth of the Florine River, known for the Temple of the Stone built around the place where Brannon first stepped onto the continent.

Lysandra’s scouting reveals that Ilium is under Adarlanian occupation. After Rifthold’s fall and rumors that Aelin is fleeing rather than reclaiming Terrasen, the Lord of Meah has marched troops across the border and seized the town. Aedion urges caution and notes that fifty soldiers are camped there, but Aelin refuses to leave any part of her kingdom in Adarlan’s hands.

At a seaside inn, Aedion challenges Aelin’s motives and warns that any liberation may be temporary if the soldiers return after they leave. Aelin argues that symbols have power, especially because the Adarlanian soldiers are using the Temple of the Stone as their barracks. She explains that freeing Ilium is meant both to protect her people and to answer Darrow’s challenge to her legitimacy.

Aelin and Aedion discuss Ilium’s history as the former stronghold of the vanished Mycenians, whose legendary fleet and sea dragons once defended Terrasen. Aedion worries that Aelin is chasing myths when they need a real army before winter blocks travel, but he recognizes the strategic and symbolic importance of the town and the temple. The conversation turns to kingsflame, the rare flower associated with blessed rulers; Aedion reveals that Darrow saved Orlon’s preserved blossom when Adarlan took the palace.

Aelin accepts that reclaiming symbols can rally a kingdom as powerfully as armies. Determined to answer the occupation, defend her birthright, and strengthen her claim, Aelin tells Aedion and Lysandra to eat before they raise hell that night.