After the council meeting, Chaol tries to avoid both his watchful father and Dorian, whose anger and hurt are obvious. Dorian stops Chaol and demands to know why Chaol publicly supported sending Celaena to Wendlyn.

Chaol hides the real reason for the plan and lies that Celaena is too dangerous to remain in the castle after opening a portal. Chaol deliberately hardens Dorian against him, knowing that if Dorian hates him, Chaol's own departure for Anielle will be easier to carry out.

Dorian warns Chaol that if anything happens to Celaena in Wendlyn, Chaol will regret it. Chaol privately knows he would regret it too, but he responds coldly that one of them must start leading, then leaves Dorian behind.

At dawn, shortly before sailing across the ocean, Celaena visits Nehemia's grave. With winter fading and spring approaching, Celaena kneels in the damp earth and admits that Nehemia was right: Celaena has been a coward, running for so long that she forgot how to stand and fight.

Celaena vows over Nehemia's grave to stop the king, remember what was done to Nehemia, free Eyllwe, and restore Nehemia's father's crown. Celaena cuts her palm and presses her blood into the soil, making this oath her only true obligation from now on.