Celene approaches the Highlander camp in the storm, disguised in dead man's clothes and carrying Dior's message. Duskdancer scouts surround Celene, and their leader, Brynne, challenges Celene's identity and purpose. Celene names herself Gabriel's sister and threatens violence as a bluff, which earns enough respect for Brynne to take Celene into the camp.

Celene is led through a host of transformed Highlanders and duskdancers to Gabriel's tent. Gabriel emerges ready to kill Celene, but Celene says Dior sent her, forcing Gabriel to restrain his rage. In the framing conversation, Jean-François questions Celene's hatred of Gabriel and Celene's shifting use of singular and plural, suggesting Celene is an unreliable narrator.

Celene tells Gabriel, Phoebe, and the Highlanders that Dior is immune to Nikita's thralldom and can free enthralled mortals with Dior's blood. Celene explains that Dior wants Gabriel to delay the attack so Dior can spark rebellion inside Dún Maergenn and spare the mortal soldiers Nikita has placed on the outer walls. Gabriel doubts Dior can defeat Nikita and Lilidh from within, but Celene insists Dior needs time.

The parlay is interrupted when Keylan returns with Soraya, Nikita's maimed youngest daughter, captured while riding north with other messengers. Under Gabriel's questioning, Soraya reveals that Voss's Terrors are nearby with a legion of wretched and that Nikita has offered Dior to Voss in exchange for aid. Gabriel promises Soraya a chance to survive if Soraya talks, but after gaining the information, Gabriel kills Soraya with Ashdrinker and beheads her.

Celene admits Celene knew about the Voss threat but says Celene was only delivering Dior's message. Gabriel argues the approaching legion means the Highlanders must strike quickly, while Celene repeats Dior's reminders about the chessboard at Cairnhaem and the meaning of victory. Moved by Dior's faith and the hope of sparing enthralled mortals, Gabriel persuades Phoebe and the Highlanders to grant Dior one day, until dawn on prièdi, while keeping Celene in the camp as surety. Gabriel then invites Celene into the tent to talk as brother and sister.