Following the destruction of the Sardovian Allfold, a battered convoy of airships—including the damaged carrack Summerwind and the stormship Nautilus—limps southward across the Eversea. Talasyn stands on the quarterdeck, monitoring aetherwave transmissions as scattered Sardovian ships try to reconnect. She is consumed with worry for Khaede, who was pulled from the front lines due to pregnancy-related morning sickness and was last seen managing evacuations at Lasthaven before disappearing. General Bieshimma, commanding in place of the injured Vela, asks Talasyn where they can hide and regroup. Talasyn recalls her Nenavar mission and proposes heading to the Nenavar Dominion, reasoning that her newly discovered heritage as the granddaughter of the Dragon Queen might gain them sanctuary.

Over two grueling days of travel southeast, Talasyn helps tend the wounded and wrap the dead for burial at sea. Among the fallen is Blademaster Mara Kasdar, the veteran instructor who trained Talasyn and all Sardovian recruits. From the crow's nest, Talasyn reflects on the devastation of the Hurricane Wars and the slim odds of her plan succeeding. When the green islands of the Nenavar Dominion finally appear on the horizon, the convoy halts and attempts to contact the Nenavarene via aetherwave, but is rebuffed. They send a pigeon to Port Samout and wait anxiously through the night.

During the vigil, Talasyn speaks with Vela at the ship's prow. Vela speculates that Talasyn's status as Elagbi's daughter may make her the solution to the Dominion's succession crisis, since no man may rule Nenavar and the queen has no surviving eligible female heirs. Vela also reveals unexpected vulnerability, expressing regret that she never told Khaede how sorry she was about Sol's death, and voicing hope that Khaede and her unborn child are safe. Talasyn insists Khaede will survive.

Just before dawn, the aetherwave transceiver finally receives a transmission from Nenavar, granting the Sardovians an audience with the Zahiya-lachis aboard her flagship, the W'taida. The conditions are strict: only one unarmed carrack with a small party may approach, while the stormship and the rest of the convoy must stay behind. The Summerwind sails southeast through misty, craggy islands until they reach the W'taida—an extraordinary floating castle mounted on volcanic rock, bristling with towers, copper battlements, and golden spires. As the awed refugees take in the sight, two enormous dragons—one sapphire-blue and one blood-red—emerge from the mist and the ocean, circling the skies and confirming the long-doubted legends that Nenavar does indeed have dragons.