Nesryn realizes that Falkan’s recovery has consumed the time she and Sartaq meant to use visiting the remaining southern watchtower ruins. Sartaq refuses to travel without Falkan, so Sartaq instead takes Nesryn among other rukhin aeries, where Nesryn witnesses his authority, humility, and close ties to his people. As Nesryn works beside the rukhin, trains with her bow from the air, and experiences life in the mountains, Nesryn feels increasingly settled and finds it harder to imagine returning to her old life in Rifthold.

At a fire gathering in Altun, Houlun asks for a tale from Adarlan. Nesryn cannot offer stories of the Fae, but Nesryn chooses to sing a song from her mother’s homeland north of Rifthold, a song her mother sang before she died. The song moves Borte and Houlun to tears and leaves Sartaq openly awed, deepening the tenderness between Sartaq and Nesryn.

After Falkan heals, the group visits two watchtower ruins and finds nothing. Nesryn realizes the three weeks Nesryn promised Chaol have ended, so Nesryn writes to Chaol asking for another three weeks. Sartaq gently points toward a riderless ruk whose rider died, implying Nesryn might belong among the rukhin, but Nesryn insists that Nesryn must eventually return to Antica.

The group travels to the final watchtower on a plain in the Tavan Mountains. Borte encourages Nesryn to test the riderless ruk despite Nesryn’s reluctance. At the ruined tower, Falkan shifts into a millipede to search the blocked lower levels while Sartaq, Nesryn, and Borte wait above and discuss shape-shifting, Lysandra, and Borte’s interest in Fae relics.

Kadara suddenly screams, and the group rushes outside to find Berlad rukhin riders led by Yeran. Yeran explains that three hatchlings vanished two nights earlier without human tracks or scent, making Nesryn and Sartaq fear the kharankui have left the Dagul Fells. Sartaq orders Yeran to return and protect the aerie’s children and hatchlings, while Yeran warns that a host may be needed if the spiders are stirring.

After Yeran departs, Falkan reports that the tower’s lower levels contain nothing useful. Nesryn concludes that they need a new strategy, and the chapter ends with Falkan asking about Yeran and Borte revealing that Yeran is her betrothed.