Gabriel reacts with alarm when the Maergenn woman recognizes him, but the confrontation becomes a joyful reunion. The woman is Sœur Fionna, called the White Rabbit, an old Ossian comrade and former swordsister who fought beside Gabriel during his first command. Fionna welcomes Gabriel and Phoebe, shares her harsh homebrew, and toasts those who fought, fell, and survived.

As Fionna and Gabriel reminisce, Phoebe learns that Fionna once served the faith with a sword rather than a cloister. Gabriel recalls the Ossian campaigns, including victories at Báih Sìde, Dún Craeg, Saethtunn, and Triúrbaile. The memory of Triúrbaile darkens the reunion: Fionna says the horrors there destroyed her faith, causing her to leave war behind, marry a Nordish tavernkeeper, and settle into a different life.

Fionna then tells Gabriel that Dún Maergenn fell months earlier to the Dyvok siblings, Nikita the Blackheart and Kiara. Rumors say the Dyvok destroyed the fortress walls from beyond cannon range, sank Lady Caitlyn’s fleet, and killed Lady Una and Lady Reyne. Lady Niamh surrendered to spare her people, but Nikita accepted the surrender only to drain her and feed her remains to his dogs. The news frightens Gabriel because Niamh had been a formidable commander, and it suggests the Untamed possess dangerous new powers while Dior is being carried toward the Blackheart.

Gabriel asks Fionna for food, a bed, a horse, and a bath, explaining that he and Phoebe must leave quickly despite the danger of the Redwatch gendarme. Fionna promises help and insists Gabriel is welcome. When music begins, Phoebe asks Gabriel to dance, but Gabriel refuses until Fionna needles him about the lively man she once knew and about the songs of his lost love and child. Gabriel’s silence reveals their deaths, and Fionna urges him to claim small joys while any remain.

Gabriel finally joins Phoebe on the floor. The two dance with surprising ease, and for a moment the war, their histories, and the divide between their peoples fade. Their closeness stirs both attraction and guilt in Gabriel, but when he notices the pulse in Phoebe’s throat, his bloodthirst nearly overwhelms him. The music changes, the moment breaks, and Gabriel flees toward bed before the hunger can make him harm her.