A fortnight-long schedule is established: Alaric and Talasyn will attend marriage negotiations in the mornings and practice aethermancy together in the afternoons, with the goal of successfully creating a combined shield before the upcoming eclipse. Talasyn, still angry at her grandmother for hiding the Voidfell truth, has Ishan Vaikar arrange to move the sariman cages to the orchid garden connecting her and Alaric's chambers, away from public view. She privately resolves to sail to the Storm God's Eye to check on the Sardovian remnant and learn whether Khaede has safely arrived.

When Alaric arrives at the garden for their first training session, he surprises Talasyn by validating her feelings about Urduja's deception, telling her she deserved to know. Though she deflects his sympathy, she internally acknowledges he has a point. Alaric shifts to a formal tone and asks about her prior training. Talasyn explains that Vela was her only teacher and that she picked up offensive magic quickly but never mastered shields. Alaric shares that aethermancers usually manifest their powers young—he was three—and notes that communing with a Sever can unlock vivid memories. Talasyn reveals she believes her magic hid itself during childhood to protect her from those who wanted her dead after the Nenavarene civil war.

When Talasyn asks Alaric what he remembers from his own childhood, he shuts down, his mind flooding with painful memories: the Lightweaver attack on the Citadel that killed his grandfather, his father Gaheris's transformation into cruelty afterward, and his mother Sancia's eventual flight, begging Alaric to come with her. He deflects the question and redirects Talasyn to training. He also criticizes Urduja for not giving Talasyn regular access to the Light Sever on Belian, which could have accelerated her development.

Talasyn attempts to weave a shield but instead produces a wild blast of light that destroys part of a marble pillar. Rather than mocking her, Alaric responds with unexpected gentleness, encouraging her to try again. As they continue, Talasyn reveals more about her harsh childhood—stealing a knife from the orphanage at ten, fighting for water at horse troughs on the streets. When she braces for the usual pity or hollow praise, Alaric instead expresses anger on her behalf, saying the Allfold's leaders failed her and that it's reprehensible to let people suffer when you can prevent it. His words resonate deeply with Talasyn, echoing beliefs she had long buried in order to keep fighting for the Sardovian cause. She acknowledges internally that he's right but refuses to open her eyes to look at him, afraid of what she might see. She deflects by reminding him that Kesath is no better, and they return to training under the pressure of their deadline.