Kingfisher awakens as Saeris’s use of his true name breaks the cursed dryad prison around him. His memories of being compelled through the shadow gate by Belikon are blurred, but the name Khydan Graystar Finvarra feels deeply and irrevocably his. His magic erupts, destroys the oubliette, and reveals Saeris bloodied but alive, with Belikon pinned nearby by both god swords.

Belikon taunts Kingfisher, then tries to exploit Saeris’s mistake by commanding Kingfisher through the true name he has just heard. Kingfisher appears to obey, pulling Nimerelle from Belikon and raising it toward Saeris’s throat. Instead, Kingfisher turns the blade back on Belikon, because Saeris had already traced an undoing rune that broke the magic binding Kingfisher’s name and prevents anyone from using it to control him again.

As Saeris retrieves Solace, Orious attacks from the shadows with a null blade. Onyx leaps at Orious and saves Saeris, while Saeris stabs Orious and Kingfisher binds the seneschal with shadow. Orious still manages to strike, but Onyx takes the blade meant for Saeris. Saeris responds by tearing out Orious’s throat, and Kingfisher sends his magic inside Orious to destroy him from within.

Saeris begs Kingfisher to heal Onyx as he once did before, but Kingfisher knows the fox has already died. Saeris collapses in grief, devastated that Onyx died without her holding him. Belikon cruelly reveals that Onyx had been in the Wicker Wood since Kingfisher was taken, harrying Belikon’s camp and scratching at the tree that imprisoned Kingfisher, proving the fox had stayed near him the entire time.

Knowing more guards may come and dawn is near, Kingfisher urges Saeris to bring Onyx so they can honor him. Belikon warns that he will pursue and kill them once freed from the iron, but Kingfisher opens a shadow gate and chooses to improve their chance of escape. After Saeris withdraws Solace, Kingfisher pulls Nimerelle free and beheads Belikon, knowing the king’s dark magic will likely keep him alive but that the injury will delay pursuit. Kingfisher resolves they must flee to the one place Belikon cannot follow, because stopping the rot now requires a plan he had previously rejected.