Alaric returns to the Kesathese Citadel and is summoned to his father Gaheris's private hall within an hour of arriving. As he enters the dark, high-ceilinged chamber, he contrasts its oppressive atmosphere with Nenavar's brightness, privately thinking about how Talasyn would dislike the place and resolving to find sunlit chambers for her. He reminds himself to stay focused, knowing he must explain why he failed to answer Gaheris's call to the In-Between at the Belian campsite.

Gaheris greets Alaric with dry, affectionate humor, remarking that marriage looks good on him. Alaric clings to this glimpse of the father he remembers from before Gaheris became Night Emperor. However, Alaric quickly notices something unusual: the hall's ever-present shadow magic is weaker than normal, diluted by a far corner bathed in natural daylight from a high window. In that corner sits a table bearing a tall, cloth-covered object.

Gaheris directs Alaric to investigate the object, calling it a gift from Commodore Mathire. As Alaric approaches, he hears familiar chirping sounds and then feels his Shadowgate magic drain away completely—exactly seven meters from the object. He recognizes the phenomenon and rushes forward, tearing the black cloth away to reveal a brass birdcage containing a sariman, the rare Nenavarene bird capable of nullifying magic. The sariman is visibly terrified and distressed, flapping its wings and singing mournfully for its lost jungle home.

Gaheris explains his reasons for acquiring the sariman: he wants Kesathese Enchanters to study it and surpass Nenavarene technology, and—most chillingly—he intends to use the creature to find a way to permanently strip Talasyn of her Lightweave magic. Gaheris declares his ambition to rule both the Continent and Nenavar entirely. Alaric stands frozen, fists clenched, as the caged sariman desperately beats its wings against the bars, singing for its lost home—a scene that mirrors the growing conflict between Alaric's loyalty to his father and his feelings for Talasyn.