Three weeks after Yrene begins making real progress against the Valg darkness in Chaol, the atrophy in Chaol’s legs starts reversing. Chaol can move his legs up to the knees, though not his thighs, and the daily rhythm of morning training, afternoon healing, and defense lessons draws Chaol and Yrene into a close routine. No new sign of Yrene’s attacker appears, but Chaol keeps training Yrene seriously, and both avoid discussing the wider war, the khagan’s armies, or the hidden Valg scrolls.

At a formal dinner after the khagan returns from the seaside, Hasar and Arghun deliberately unsettle Chaol and Yrene. Hasar first announces that Nesryn and Sartaq should be returning soon, causing Yrene to feel ashamed relief and fear that Chaol still belongs emotionally to Nesryn. Chaol reveals he has received word that Nesryn and Sartaq are extending their trip another three weeks because the rukhin value Nesryn’s skill with a bow.

Hasar and Arghun then reveal reports from the northern continent: Dorian Havilliard and Aelin Galathynius have reappeared at Skull’s Bay, Aelin destroyed much of Perrington’s fleet with immense power, and Skull’s Bay’s Pirate Lord now fights with her. The siblings twist the news into a warning that Aelin is a conqueror, claiming she is burning villages along Eyllwe’s coast and moving toward Banjali to force the Ytger family into giving her an army. Chaol rejects the accusation, insisting Aelin wants to liberate their land, but the khagan and his viziers begin weighing the threat of her power.

Hasar corners Chaol by asking whether Chaol would swear on Yrene’s life that Aelin would never use such coercive tactics. Because Chaol knows Aelin can be ruthless when protecting those she loves, Chaol cannot make that oath, and Hasar treats his silence as victory. The khagan refuses to decide at dinner, but says the bare facts make him inclined to agree with the concerns, leaving Chaol’s mission for an alliance badly weakened.

Later that night, Chaol lies awake blaming himself for not lying, yet admits privately that he cannot fully trust Aelin’s restraint. Kashin secretly enters through the garden and says Hasar and Arghun may have attacked because Sartaq’s investigation could soon strengthen Chaol’s case. Kashin explains the real costs of sending the khaganate’s full might to a foreign war, but also reveals information Arghun withheld: Captain Rolfe bought expensive firelances from the khaganate, and after Skull’s Bay fell to Aelin, he ordered even more to be shipped north.

Kashin says he personally feels called northward and would join the war if the khagan commands it. Realizing the firelance trade could alter the political argument, Chaol asks when the khagan will next meet with the foreign trade vizier.