Two days after Lin brings the mysterious medicine from Marivent, Merren tests it in the Black Mansion laboratory. While he works, Merren admits his frustration that Artal Gremont remains alive and protected in Castellane, and Lin explains that Gremont’s amulet is an ancient, powerful object likely given to him rather than inherited. Merren’s experiments reveal that the medicine contains blackroot, a substance that is poisonous in tiny amounts and deadly in larger doses; the vial contains a killing dose.

Kel prepares to visit the Arena to help Ji-An, Jerrod, and Merren question Magali Berthe, but Conor unexpectedly joins him after a Dial Chamber meeting is canceled. At the Arena, Kel spots Magali as well as his allies, but Conor’s presence traps Kel in the royal box. While watching the crocodile fights begin, Kel and Conor discuss Conor’s new burdens of rule and Artal Gremont’s planned use of First Night against Antonetta; Conor argues that denying Gremont publicly would only make Gremont punish Antonetta more subtly later.

Meanwhile, Lin returns to the Sault and finds Aron Benjudah acting as Exilarch, hearing disputes before an eager crowd. Lin tells Mariam about her dream of a burning man, and Mariam connects it to a story of a Sorcerer-King called the Phoenix King. Mariam also translates the Malgasi phrase from Lin’s dream as, “They are trying to prevent me from becoming what I am.” Oren Kandel then tells Lin that a woman from Geumjoseon is waiting for her; Ji-An explains that Conor has ruined the Arena plan and asks Lin to help.

Lin gets admitted to the royal box by invoking Mayesh’s name and claims she has state business from her grandfather. This gives Kel an excuse to leave Conor and seek out Magali. Alone with Conor, Lin reveals that King Markus’s medicine contains a lethal amount of blackroot and that Markus’s survival may indicate resistance, dependence, or some unknown effect. Conor suggests consulting the Palace library for floriculture texts, and invites Lin to Marivent the next night to investigate further.

Kel confronts Magali in the lower seats and reveals that he knows she arranged contact with Raimon and the mercenaries who attacked the Shining Gallery. Magali insists Lady Alleyne meant only to frighten and humiliate the Sarthian princess, not to cause a massacre. Under pressure, Magali admits that after the murders she overheard Lady Alleyne arguing with a masked, black-clad figure with a rough voice, who warned that Alleyne was now implicated and would fall with him if she betrayed him. Magali adds that Lady Alleyne recently received a letter ordering her to meet on Cereday night on Tyndaris to discuss loyalty; Kel leaves convinced Magali is telling the truth.