After Nesryn leaves, Chaol summons Kadja and asks her to search the docks for any news about the attack on Rifthold. Chaol also has Kadja bring him to Prince Arghun, hoping the eldest prince will reveal where his information about the attack came from.

Arghun receives Chaol in his chambers but refuses to share his source, saying too many people are watching and that even being seen with Chaol sends a message. Arghun insists his spies do not invent stories, which convinces Chaol that Rifthold truly has been sacked, though Dorian’s fate and the city’s losses remain unknown.

At dinner, Nesryn still has not returned, and Chaol struggles to hide his fear. Kadja has found no new details beyond confirmation from sailors and merchants that the attack happened, trade routes near Rifthold have halted, and no word has come of Dorian. Chaol worries that Morath agents may be in Antica and that openly searching for Nesryn would reveal how much she matters to him.

Yrene arrives at the banquet and is warmly welcomed by Hasar and Renia, while Kashin watches her with obvious interest. Kashin praises Yrene to Chaol, but Yrene keeps her distance from both Kashin and Chaol. Chaol turns Kashin’s conversation toward the southern continent’s armies and military routines, gaining useful information until Arghun sharply stops the discussion.

Yrene notices Chaol watching the entrances for Nesryn and silently warns him not to draw attention to her absence. Chaol leaves after dessert and waits in his rooms until nearly one in the morning, when Nesryn finally returns, unharmed and visibly lifted by time with her family. Nesryn reveals her relatives received word that her parents escaped Rifthold, but Chaol’s relief is overtaken by anger that she did not send word.

Chaol and Nesryn argue over safety, trust, and whether Antica is truly dangerous to her. Nesryn insists Antica is not foreign to her and that she has nothing to fear there, a contrast that exposes how unsafe she felt in Rifthold. The quarrel ends unresolved when Nesryn goes to bed alone, leaving Chaol awake and unable to reach her.