Nesryn stands beside Chaol in the khagan’s throne room, divided between her duty as Adarlan’s captain and her emotional return to the southern continent, where her father’s people came from. Antica feels like a true home to her because its people resemble her family and lack the prejudice she knew in Adarlan, but the presence of Khagan Urus and his powerful court leaves her shaken.

Urus questions Chaol and Nesryn, and Nesryn introduces herself with formal restraint. The khagan welcomes Nesryn as returning to her true home, which unsettles Chaol. Chaol then frames their visit as a mission of peace and trade, though Urus immediately recognizes that Adarlan and Terrasen want his armies for the war.

Chaol presents jewels from Dorian and Aelin as gifts, but the khagan and his children scrutinize both the offering and the politics behind it. Urus reveals that Arghun’s spies know Aelin’s past as Celaena Sardothien, mocks the source of the jewels, notes that Duva never received a wedding gift, and exposes the weakness of Adarlan and Terrasen’s position. He says he will consider their request during their stay but makes clear that the khaganate has little reason to risk its blood for them.

Urus also acknowledges Chaol’s second purpose: healing at the Torre Cesme. Though he pointedly links Chaol’s injury to Aelin’s destruction of the glass castle, Urus grants Chaol permission to seek the Torre’s aid, while emphasizing that even he cannot command its healers. He orders that a healer be sent if the Torre agrees.

When Chaol demands to know why Urus rejects the jewels, Nesryn notices the white death-banners and realizes one of the royal children is missing. Sartaq confirms that the youngest princess, Tumelun, died unexpectedly three weeks earlier, making Chaol and Nesryn’s request politically and ritually ill-timed. Urus then delivers worse news from Arghun’s contacts: Rifthold has fallen to Duke Perrington, Dorian has fled, and Perrington’s witches now hold the city and lands south of it.

The news devastates Nesryn because her father, sister, nieces, and nephews remain in Rifthold. Sartaq and Hasar intervene to preserve hospitality and arrange for Chaol and Nesryn to rest before dinner, while Urus sends word to the Torre for its finest healer. Nesryn leaves in shock, holding Chaol’s hand and blaming herself for abandoning her family.