Over the next week, Chaol’s recovery proves miraculous but incomplete. Yrene continues fighting the dark presence clinging to the base of Chaol’s spine, leaving running, jumping, and kicking still beyond him, but a sturdy cane allows Chaol to stand and walk.

Chaol brings both cane and chair to morning training with Hashim and the guards, using the chair when exhaustion overtakes him. Yrene supervises early sessions and guides Hashim on rebuilding Chaol’s strength and stability. Chaol even spars with Hashim while leaning on the cane, discovering that the cane can serve as both support and weapon.

After one training session, Yrene’s attraction to Chaol becomes obvious, and Yrene pulls Chaol into a curtained alcove to kiss him. A servant interrupts them, leaving Yrene shaken because of her position in the Torre and palace. Afterward, Yrene keeps more physical distance, and Chaol restrains himself despite their desire and the intimacy of the healing sessions.

Chaol reflects that Yrene has already given him more than he expected, because walking with a cane may be enough to let him return to battle, at least on horseback. His thoughts turn to the war threatening his friends and homeland, and increasingly to fighting for Yrene as well.

On the way to dinner, Yrene reveals that her twenty-second birthday is in three days and that she manipulated Hasar into arranging a desert celebration at Aksara, an oasis owned by Hasar’s family. Yrene’s real purpose is investigation: Hasar mentioned that Aksara may sit atop a city of the dead, with its ruins serving as a gateway, though the family avoids the surrounding jungle for fear of disturbing the dead.

Chaol recognizes Yrene’s cleverness and the risk of the excursion, while Yrene worries the party will be unpleasant despite the possible information. They discuss the guest list, including hostile or difficult court figures, and share a restrained moment of longing before remembering they cannot act on it openly. When Chaol asks what Yrene wants for her birthday, Yrene says she already has everything she needs.