As the retreat horn sounds, Talasyn fights her way through the forest to the docks where the Sardovian Allfold's carracks are preparing to flee Frostplum. She climbs aboard the Summerwind and discovers Khaede cradling Sol's lifeless body—he was killed by a crossbow bolt to the chest just as he was climbing aboard. Khaede recounts how Sol made her go up the ladder first and was struck before he could reach the deck. Talasyn urges Khaede to reveal her pregnancy to Amirante Vela so she can be pulled from active duty, but Khaede fiercely refuses, insisting the Allfold needs her as a helmsman. Finding the wedding cleric also dead, Talasyn performs the funeral rites herself, closing Sol's eyes and offering the traditional prayer.

Later, Talasyn is debriefed in Vela's office aboard the carrack. Vela and Coxswain Darius discuss the strategic implications of losing Frostplum: Night Emperor Gaheris is now positioned to conquer the rest of the Highlands. Darius laments the Allfold's shrinking territory and the failure of Bieshimma's mission to secure aid from the Nenavar Dominion. Vela explains that the Nenavarene are still bitter from the last time they sent a flotilla to help Sardovia—during the Cataclysm, Gaheris deployed the first untested stormship and destroyed the Dominion's airships before they could reach Sunstead. The conversation turns to Talasyn's exposed Lightweave ability: Vela warns that Alaric will have informed Gaheris, and the Night Empire will now relentlessly pursue her.

General Bieshimma arrives and presents a map showing his route through Nenavar. Though he failed to secure an audience with Zahiya-lachis Queen Urduja—nearly getting killed by palace guards—he witnessed something extraordinary on his return: a Light Sever, a nexus of Lightweave energy erupting from a Nenavarene mountaintop. Such nexus points, which can amplify a Lightweaver's power, have not existed on the Continent since Gaheris destroyed Sunstead. Vela proposes that Talasyn fly solo in a wasp coracle to Nenavar, infiltrate Dominion territory undetected, commune with the Light Sever, and return—all without being caught, since antagonizing Nenavar further is too risky.

Darius insists Talasyn cannot go unprepared. Vela gives her a fortnight: she will train intensively with Vela and Blademaster Kasdar while Bieshimma maps the overland route. Vela warns Talasyn that Alaric Ossinast—the most powerful Shadowforged in centuries, who became Legion Master at barely eighteen—will not forget being bested and will come for her. Talasyn recalls their duel on the ice and the predatory look in his silver eyes, and shivers at the prospect of facing him again.