Gabriel wakes bloodied, shackled in silversteel, and slung over Argent as part of an armed convoy. He realizes he has been captured by Sœur Valya d’Naél and an inquisitorial force, accompanied by three silversaints: Xavier Pérez, Gabriel’s former apprentice Lachlan, and the young Arash Sa-Pashin, called Robin. Xavier carries Ashdrinker, while Valya explains Gabriel is being taken to Augustin to face judgment in the Tower of Tears for heresy and murders at San Michon.

Gabriel tries to explain that he killed at San Michon to stop Dior from being murdered, but Lachlan and Xavier believe the Order’s version of events and reject Gabriel as a traitor. Lachlan’s anger is personal, rooted in Gabriel’s broken vows, Astrid, and the killing of Greyhand and others. Robin also despises Gabriel because Greyhand was Robin’s master, and Gabriel’s old heroic reputation has curdled into disillusionment.

As the convoy travels through Fa’daena, Gabriel realizes they are taking a dangerous route through the Forest of Sorrows. Gagged most of the time and weakened by thirst, Gabriel repeatedly warns Xavier and the others that the forest is corrupted, citing the monstrous stag and horrors Gabriel previously encountered. Valya dismisses Gabriel’s warnings as cowardice and heresy, and Gabriel’s attempt to reveal Dior’s miraculous blood is cut short before he can explain.

The forest begins preying on the company. First Leandro disappears, leaving behind a twig effigy dressed like an inquisitor with hair tied around its throat. Later Jean-Luc and Luis vanish, and more effigies are found while screams echo from the trees. The convoy changes course to escape the forest, but their compasses fail, Steel disappears, the men grow exhausted and terrified, and more ritual figures appear around their camps.

On the tenth night, terrifying screams and singing erupt from the darkness. Lachlan organizes most of the soldiers to search for the missing men, leaving Robin and Thibault to guard Gabriel. Gabriel pleads to be freed so he can fight, but Robin refuses, and Gabriel challenges Robin’s faith in the myths built around the Black Lion, Greyhand, and imperial heroism. Gabriel finally declares that Greyhand deserved death for trying to kill an innocent child, enraging Robin enough to aim a pistol at Gabriel.

As Robin turns away from the trees, a swift, clawed figure emerges from the darkness behind him. Gabriel recognizes the newcomer not as a forest horror but as someone welcome: a beautiful, fire-haired, golden-eyed woman who greets Gabriel as “Kitcat.”