Hauth turns the forced Chalice drinking into a truth game, insisting each person ask one question and warning that lying too much has consequences. Jespyr protests that no one consented, but Hauth frames refusal as proof of secrecy. Under the Chalice’s magic, Hauth admits he is jealous of Ravyn, has tried to turn the Destriers against him, intends to challenge Ravyn for command, has used the Scythe on Ione more than once, and has been unfaithful since his betrothal.

Ione then answers questions with unnerving calm. Ione says Hauth treats her as well as a brute can, that Ione does not love him, and that Ione wants power from the Rowan connection. When Elspeth asks whether Ione truly wants to marry Hauth, Ione argues that women in Blunder need coldness to be powerful and fearless, showing how deeply the Maiden has altered Ione’s warmth and former self.

Elm’s turn exposes wounds within the Rowan family. Elm claims to be the most talented Card user in Blunder, admits Elm hates living at Stone and would burn it down if possible, tells Ravyn that Elm trusts him with his life, and confesses that prolonged use of the Scythe feels like glass cutting through his head. When Hauth asks whether Elm thinks Elm would be a better king, Elm answers yes, sharpening the hostility between the brothers.

Ravyn’s turn is different because the Chalice cannot compel him. Ione asks whether Ravyn truly cares for Elspeth, and Ravyn says he has cared for her since nearly the moment they met. Hauth tries to exploit Ravyn’s immunity by asking where Ravyn goes when away from the Destriers, but Ravyn deflects. Jespyr and Elm’s lighter questions briefly ease the tension, and Elspeth asks whether Ravyn is still pretending; Ravyn kisses Elspeth and says he never was.

When Elspeth must answer, Ione first forces Elspeth to admit Elspeth is in love. Hauth then asks what happened to Elspeth’s injured arm, aiming to expose the treasonous secrets Ravyn can hide but Elspeth cannot. As Elspeth chokes against the Chalice’s compulsion, Ravyn breaks his promise and enters Elspeth’s mind to help her phrase the truth. Elspeth rejects the intrusion, and the Nightmare violently drives Ravyn out, knocking Ravyn from his chair and leaving him terrified by what he sensed.

Hauth seizes Elspeth’s injured arm and presses her broken wrist, but Jespyr attacks him to make him let go. In the confusion, Ione secretly taps the discarded Chalice and releases Elspeth from its hold, then slips away. Ravyn declares the game an ambush and leads Elspeth, Jespyr, and Elm to leave, but Elspeth collapses before escaping. Because Elspeth tried too hard to resist and lie under the Chalice’s power, the Card’s truth serum turns poisonous, and Elspeth begins vomiting blood.