As rain falls over Cahlish, Lorreth and Danya report that the rot has accelerated. Black veins are spreading down Omnamerrin, efforts to burn a barrier failed, the shadow gate closed before the warning could be sent, and twenty-three more warriors died on the way to Cahlish. Danya estimates the rot will reach the estate within twelve to sixteen hours.

Saeris consults Lady Edina’s book for guidance. Saeris discovers she missed a previous warning after Evenlight: Edina says not to undo Zareth’s work, not to drink Iseabail’s cure, and not to let the new Lord drink it either. The current instruction tells Saeris to read on at the white cliffs, which Fisher interprets as a sign to evacuate Cahlish and rally at Inishtar.

Danya challenges Fisher’s retreat plan and argues that brimstone could stop the rot, since it killed the infected feeder that threatened Archer. Fisher refuses to harvest brimstone by killing the sprites in the pyre, insisting he will not sacrifice his people as collateral damage. Lorreth suggests there is another way to get enough brimstone, but Fisher rejects the idea and leaves the explanation for later.

Fisher sends Saeris to Hayden, who stands barefoot in the rain, overwhelmed by Yvelia and unsure of his place. Saeris tells Hayden that he must decide who he wants to be, and Hayden chooses to stay with Saeris rather than return to Zilvaren. Hayden apologizes for doubting Saeris and says he wants to become useful instead of a burden.

Before Saeris can return inside, a strange pull leads Saeris to the Hazrax. The creature says Iseabail’s bargain with the Balquhidder clan ruined its plans, then reveals that Saeris’s new rune was its gift. The rune is the creature’s name, cannot be recorded, grants the ability to undo or break, saved Saeris’s friend, and will temporarily ground Saeris’s other runes while Saeris works to seal the brimstone mark.

The Hazrax claims the rune is an apology for what is coming, saying it has seen Saeris’s difficult future through the oracle’s eyes. As the second part of its gift, the Hazrax gives Saeris a ruby ring of office belonging to a Lord of Midnight and orders Saeris to give it to the apostate with the golden smile. Saeris realizes “Hazrax” is not the creature’s true name, but the creature refuses to identify itself, saying Saeris is close to understanding.