At dawn, Aelin, Aedion, and Lysandra leave Ilium aboard the Wind-Singer, disguised as two hooded passengers and a falcon. The crew believes the travelers are bound for Leriba, but Aelin intends to use the ship only as far as it serves her larger route toward Skull’s Bay and the Stone Marshes of Eyllwe.

Aelin worries about the dangers ahead, especially the need to sail near Adarlan’s waters and the possibility of witch patrols. Erawan’s recent threat to capture Rowan and Dorian weighs on her, and the bruise over Aelin’s heart reminds her that Erawan is already reaching for the people she loves. Lysandra scouts from the mast in falcon form, and Aedion checks the ship, but Aelin grows impatient with every delay.

Aedion speaks with Aelin about Erawan’s cruelty and wonders why the King of Adarlan and Perrington never tried to corrupt him with Valg power when Aedion had been in their grasp. Aelin suggests the old king may have spared Aedion for reasons tied to Dorian’s father’s lingering goodness, or because Aedion’s death or corruption might have driven Aelin beyond reason. Aelin refuses to dwell on what might have happened, recognizing that Erawan used the overseer from Endovier to reopen old wounds and weaponize her past.

The conversation shifts to Aedion’s own trauma. Aedion admits that seeing the overseer and remembering how close Aedion had been to Endovier during Aelin’s imprisonment still haunts him. Aelin then asks about Theralis, where Aedion fought as a boy, and Aedion reveals it is the battlefield he sees most often in his dreams, even though Darrow tried to keep him from the worst of the fighting.

Aelin tells Aedion that she understands why Darrow blocked her from entering Terrasen, even though Aelin still intends to fight Darrow’s decree. As Aelin touches the amulet and remembers Brannon’s command to find the Lock, Aelin focuses on Skull’s Bay, whose ruler has a magical map capable of finding enemies, storms, treasure, and hidden things. Aelin wonders what answers, debts, and oaths await there—if Aelin reaches Skull’s Bay before Erawan does.