The morning's marriage negotiations proceed briskly, with Dominion nobles now warmer toward Kesath thanks to Alaric's potential to help counter the Voidfell threat. A dispute erupts over the wedding location—Commodore Mathire insists on the Kesathese Citadel, while Niamha Langsoune argues for Nenavarene soil. Alaric settles the matter by agreeing the wedding will be in Nenavar with a subsequent coronation in Kesath. Talasyn, pale and distressed, declares she does not want to go to Kesath. Alaric coolly explains she will need to hold court there occasionally, and Urduja assures her she will be accompanied and may bring her own courtiers. Talasyn forces herself to accept, reminding herself that this marriage keeps everyone alive.

That afternoon, Alaric waits in the orchid garden while Talasyn dawdles. He watches a dragon fly overhead, and when Talasyn arrives they briefly share a moment of wonder before she stiffens. They make awkward small talk about Nenavarene food and dragons, but the conversation veers into dangerous territory when Talasyn accidentally refers to the Continent as "home," and Alaric tries to assure her that Kesath is rebuilding Sardovian lands for the better. Talasyn is furious, and Alaric defends Kesath's actions by invoking the Lightweavers' killing of his grandfather and their attempt to seize the stormship prototype. The two trade competing versions of history—Alaric insisting Sunstead attacked Kesath without warning to steal stormship technology, Talasyn insisting Sunstead first sent emissaries and acted only to prevent a dangerous weapon from being built.

The argument escalates until Alaric's Shadowgate nearly activates, darkening the air around them. Yet Talasyn's presence paradoxically pulls him back. She delivers a final, impassioned declaration: even if Alaric's version of history is true, ten years of war against innocents was not justified—vengeance is not justice. She storms off to her chambers, ending any hope of training that day.

Left alone, Alaric summons his legionnaire Sevraim, who overheard the entire argument. Alaric asks Sevraim how to talk to Talasyn without constantly provoking her. Sevraim advises him to ask about her interests, find common ground, compliment her, and stop rising to her bait. He reminds Alaric that Talasyn lashes out because she is anxious and afraid, doing this to save her people just as Alaric is doing it to protect Kesath from further conflict.