Dior abandons the gown Lilidh gave her and dresses in servants’ homespun to move unseen through Dún Maergenn. The keep is in near-chaos before the expected Highlander assault: scorched are sent to the walls, prisoners press at the gatehouse, servants and quartermasters rush through the storm, and fear spreads among the defenders.

Dior reaches the smithy intending to steal an ironsaw for the rebels’ plan, but Baptiste and the other workers make theft impossible. Near the stables, Dior finds Joaquin Marenn saying farewell to his hound Elaina before being sent to the walls despite having no real battle experience. Dior reassures Joaquin that the Highlanders are her friends and asks him to create a distraction so she can steal the tool.

Joaquin agrees out of faith in Dior. Dior sends Celene to watch the smithy, then uses the commotion caused by Joaquin and Elaina to slip inside and steal the ironsaw. As Dior returns through the secret passage, Reyne intercepts her and explains that Nikita has demanded Dior’s presence at a pre-dawn speech in the Hall of Plenty, where Nikita means to display Dior as proof that Voss will aid his wavering court.

Back in Dior’s chamber, Reyne hides the ironsaw and prepares Dior for court, promising to get the tool to Gilly and Morgana. As Reyne tends Dior’s reopened foot wound and dresses her, Dior worries about asking others to risk themselves. Reyne insists Gilly and Morgana will help willingly because Dior has earned love and loyalty by freeing people and risking herself for strangers.

While dressing Dior, Reyne reveals why Reyne does not fit easily among the Maergenns. Reyne says her mother, Niamh á Maergenn, sent Reyne away because Reyne reminded Niamh of Reyne’s absent northern father; when Reyne returned to help defend Ossway, Reyne was treated as a bastard and given only humiliating duties despite years of training. Dior challenges Reyne’s reverence for Niamh and tells Reyne that people follow her because of Reyne’s own warmth, courage, and presence, not because of her birth.

Dior’s words move Reyne, and Reyne kisses Dior. Dior returns the kiss, turning their growing attraction into a clear emotional bond and giving both girls another reason to survive the coming battle. Reyne finishes Dior’s disguise as a courtly mademoiselle, and the two descend together toward Nikita’s feast and speech.