Aelin realizes that Erawan’s forces are moving toward defenseless Eyllwe, which has no standing army left beyond scattered rebels. Rolfe calls the movement an extermination, and Aelin understands it as a message meant to hurt her because of her personal ties to Eyllwe and her dead friend Nehemia’s kingdom.

While the others discuss military logistics, Aelin notices Briarcliff and the Red Desert on Rolfe’s map and thinks of old life debts she may be able to claim. She then turns on Rolfe and demands his armada, his firelances, and the aid of the hidden Mycenian people, revealing that she knows Rolfe is their heir and offering Ilium as their restored ancient home.

Rolfe refuses, so Aelin releases a controlled pulse of her fire magic across Skull’s Bay. Rowan covers the display by claiming Aelin must vent her power daily, but Dorian later recognizes the truth: Aelin has deliberately sent a beacon the Valg can follow, using Rolfe’s fear of them to force his hand. Aedion, Lysandra, and Dorian arrive as Rolfe remains shaken and the others continue debating defenses and supplies.

Aelin prepares to leave without helping Rolfe, claiming the battle is not hers if he will not ally with her. Rolfe tries to wound her by invoking Sam, and Rowan attacks him in fury. Bells soon ring from the watchtowers, Rolfe’s magical map darkens with Valg presence, and his quartermaster reports eight Morath warships and two sea-wyverns approaching at unnatural speed.

Faced with the imminent destruction of Skull’s Bay, Rolfe bargains. He demands command, the archipelago, Ilium, titles, and recognition for his heirs; Aelin and Dorian grant him land and legitimacy while limiting his titles and claiming Morath weapons for the war. Rolfe agrees that if Aelin destroys the enemy force, his fleet is hers, though he cannot guarantee all Mycenians will rise.

Dorian understands that Aelin has gambled with an island to gain the navy she needs and accepts that the war may require ruthlessness. Outside, Rolfe mobilizes every ship, while Aelin assigns Rowan, Lysandra, Fenrys, and Gavriel to accompany her, sends Aedion to a watchtower harpoon, and orders Dorian to guard the southern tower with magic. Aelin asks for iron chains to restrain her and Rowan if necessary, making clear she intends to sail into the enemy fleet and destroy it with fire.