Houlun’s suspicion that stygian spiders are behind the stolen ruk eggs meets Nesryn’s doubt until Falkan produces a piece of true Spidersilk. Falkan explains that he once bargained with the spiders’ northern kin and gained a fortune in silk, but the price was twenty years of his life taken from his prime, making him appear much older than his twenty-seven years.

Falkan admits he came to Eridun hoping to learn how to reclaim his lost youth, either by finding knowledge about the spiders or by discovering how to kill one. Houlun distinguishes the northern spiders from the kharankui in the Dagul Fells, saying the kharankui only destroy. She believes the kharankui are stealing eggs and hatchlings, but because there is no proof, she orders Sartaq to warn the aerie quietly rather than provoke a panic or premature war.

After dismissing Falkan, Houlun turns to Nesryn and Sartaq and says that the One Who Sleeps has awakened. Nesryn names Erawan and confirms she has faced his shadow-beasts from Morath. Sartaq reveals that an attack in Antica may be tied to Erawan’s agents, and Nesryn realizes Sartaq has come not only for information but to persuade Houlun, whose influence over the rukhin is essential if the aeries are ever to aid the northern war.

Houlun delays her full tale until after food and rest, warning that a storm is coming. Nesryn spends hours moving through the aerie to pass along the warning, receiving hospitality and repeated welcomes from the rukhin when they learn of her southern heritage. After nightfall, as lightning and thunder strike the mountain, Houlun gathers Nesryn and Sartaq by the fire and begins speaking as Eridun’s Story Keeper.

Houlun reveals that long ago a rip in the world opened in these mountains, allowing the kharankui and other shadow-beasts to enter. Most Valg moved north, but the kharankui remained in the Dagul Fells, possibly guarding the way back to their own world. She recounts that the Fae later came to the mountains, taught the ruks to fight, and built watchtowers and warning beacons before vanishing into memory.

When Sartaq asks how the Valg might be defeated, Houlun points to Nesryn, who refuses to reveal the secret hope she carries because any whisper reaching Morath could destroy it. Nesryn argues that the new information about the kharankui may still reveal a weakness. Houlun directs them to a nearby ruined Fae watchtower, warning that it is trapped, that previous explorers never returned, and that they must not remain there after dark.