In Jean-François Chastain’s cell, Gabriel explains Celene’s decision to let Gabriel fall from the bridge at Cairnhaem. Gabriel believes Celene wanted Gabriel dead because Gabriel would have taken Dior to the Highlands, but Celene avoided killing Gabriel openly so Dior would not lose trust in her.

Jean-François reveals that Gabriel can no longer tell Dior’s story for the period after the fall, because Gabriel did not see Dior again for months. The historian announces that another prisoner in the château can fill the gap. Gabriel realizes Jean-François means Celene and reacts with genuine fear, warning that Celene is made of lies.

Jean-François leaves Gabriel with wine, a bell, and Meline, though Gabriel refuses Jean-François’s offers of blood or sexual temptation. After locking Gabriel in, Jean-François orders his mouse familiar, Armand, to watch him, then descends with Meline and thrallswords into the deepest dungeon beneath Sul Adair.

At the bottom, Jean-François enters a dark cell divided by an underground river. On the far side is Celene Castia, the Last of the Liathe, starving, muzzled with silver, and unable to cross the running water. Jean-François introduces himself, confirms that Gabriel has been speaking, and offers Celene a chance to tell her version of the story, especially the story of the Grail.

Celene first refuses, denouncing Gabriel as a coward and liar and denying that she is a traitor. Jean-François then exploits Celene’s thirst by drinking blood in front of her, offering a second goblet, and throwing it into the river when she will not speak. Overwhelmed by hunger, Celene begs for the bottle; Jean-François gives it to her, and after drinking through her silver muzzle, Celene agrees to begin her account.