Dorian visits Celaena in her rooms after breakfast as Celaena packs for Wendlyn. Fleetfoot is recovering from the injury, but Celaena cannot take the dog on the dangerous journey, so Celaena asks Dorian to look after Fleetfoot. Dorian promises to care for Fleetfoot and leaves a stack of books in Celaena’s room, implying that Celaena’s chambers may be safer than Dorian’s for his research into his magic.

Dorian tries to persuade Celaena not to go, warning that Wendlyn will place Celaena beyond any help from Adarlan. Celaena insists that she will be fine, but Dorian admits that Dorian will worry about Celaena constantly. Their goodbye is restrained but emotional; Celaena thanks Dorian for being her friend and promises that Celaena will come back for Dorian, hinting that the promise carries a deeper meaning.

At the docks, Celaena prepares to board the ship bound first for a rendezvous with a Wendlyn vessel. Celaena reflects on the pain of leaving Fleetfoot and on Celaena’s unresolved anger and questions toward Chaol, whose plan has sent Celaena into a dangerous exile. Celaena also weighs Elena’s command to do what must be done, uncertain whether that means killing Wendlyn’s royal family or pursuing another purpose.

Chaol appears before departure and asks whether Celaena understands why Chaol arranged the mission. Celaena acknowledges Chaol’s motive but explains that Celaena must return to Adarlan, though Celaena withholds the full reason because the king’s threats make the knowledge dangerous. With only minutes left, Celaena tells Chaol about the Wyrdkeys, Wyrdgates, Baba Yellowlegs, the hidden papers in the tomb, the king’s possession of at least one key, the sealed creature beneath the library, and the possible roles of Roland and Kaltain in a broader threat.

Celaena gives Chaol the Eye of Elena and tells Chaol never to remove it because it will protect him. Then Celaena whispers cryptic words into Chaol’s ear, saying Chaol will understand later and that the truth would never have changed Celaena’s choice of Chaol. Chaol begs for an explanation and tells Celaena that Chaol loves Celaena, but Celaena can only apologize before boarding the ship.

The ship casts off while Chaol remains on the dock, and Celaena watches Chaol and Adarlan recede until night falls and only the ocean surrounds Celaena. At last, exhausted and surrounded by sea wind, Celaena turns away from Adarlan and sails toward Wendlyn.