Talasyn reflects on her rooftop conversation with Alaric, regretting how close she came to revealing truths that could endanger herself and her allies. She resolves to speak with Amirante Vela more urgently than ever. Unable to sneak out through the garden path between her and Alaric's rooms again, she searches for another way off the palace grounds.

She encounters Surakwel Mantes in the corridor as he bids farewell to Niamha Langsoune. Surakwel mentions he's departing for Viyayin after Urduja made clear he'd outstayed his welcome, and that he'll attend Talasyn's wedding in his ailing mother's place. Talasyn seizes the opportunity, invoking the debt of the self she is owed. She demands two things: absolute secrecy about what she's about to reveal, and passage to a specific destination. She tells Surakwel about the Sardovian remnant hiding in Sigwad, and despite his excitement, she swears him to silence.

They depart aboard Surakwel's pleasure yacht, the Serenity—named, Talasyn realizes, after Niamha, whose name means "the serene one." The fast ship reaches the basalt-pillar strait near Sigwad in under five hours. Surakwel lands on a moonlit coral shoreline and Talasyn orders him to wait, invoking the debt again when he protests. She navigates through the mangrove swamp alone, guided by a young Sardovian lookout boy.

Talasyn finds the Sardovian camp built around the stormship Nautilus on a natural embankment. Amirante Vela meets her privately. Vela has already been informed of the marriage treaty and the Voidfell threat. She urges Talasyn to stop being a pawn in Urduja's games, reminding her that Urduja needs Talasyn as much as Talasyn needs Urduja—without an heir, the Dragon Queen risks being deposed. Vela then makes a surprising strategic argument: once Talasyn marries Alaric, she becomes the Night Empress, gaining access to Kesath's inner workings.

Together, Talasyn and Vela formulate a plan. Talasyn will use her position as Alaric's wife to spy on Kesath, learn their weaknesses, discover how they manufacture void cannons from limited magical resources, and ultimately find a path to Gaheris—the true power behind the Night Empire. If they can assassinate Gaheris, the empire will crumble. Talasyn mentions Surakwel as a potential messenger if she needs help or must relay intelligence. Vela warns Talasyn of the immense danger ahead and extracts a promise that she'll call for extraction if things go wrong. Talasyn departs, steeling herself for the uncertain future with resolve.