With Cardan bound by oath, Jude brings him near the visiting faerie encampments so he can provide information while she searches for monarchs willing to oppose Balekin. Jude understands that if she openly moves against Balekin, she will be committed to keeping Faerie ready for Oak, possibly for years. She commands Cardan to remain hidden unless danger comes, a day passes, or Jude returns.

Jude first tries Queen Annet of the Court of Moths because Annet left Balekin’s failed coronation early. Cardan explains that Annet is practical, powerful, and likely unimpressed by Balekin’s slaughter of the royal line without securing the crown. Jude poses as Balekin’s messenger, but Annet’s sentries refuse her entry and mock Balekin as no king at all, forcing Jude to retreat.

Back with Cardan, Jude admits failure, and Cardan advises her to approach Lord Severin and Lord Roiben because they are outside the High Court and may gain from backing a new ruler. After an awkwardly intimate moment when Cardan touches Jude’s mortal ear, Jude goes to Severin’s small camp. She discovers that the red-haired figure she assumed was a human companion is actually Severin himself.

Jude tells Severin that Balekin will not be crowned and offers recognition of Severin’s court as sovereign in exchange for his help. Severin identifies Cardan as the only plausible candidate and admits the offer tempts him, but says his court has little influence and his father’s treason weakens his honor. Still, Severin agrees to help if Jude secures another supporter, making him a conditional ally.

Needing a more powerful witness, Jude sneaks into Roiben’s large camp by pretending to carry firewood. Dulcamara catches Jude spying near Roiben’s tent and drags Jude before Roiben and his consort, Kaye. Jude claims loyalty to the true High King and asks Roiben to witness and uphold a coronation at Balekin’s feast, while refusing to reveal the candidate or the method.

Roiben tests Jude by considering torture, but Jude challenges him not to behave like the coward he calls Balekin. Impressed or amused, Roiben agrees to gamble with Jude: if she crowns someone other than Balekin, Roiben will help keep that person on the throne. In return, Jude promises that the future king will someday grant Roiben a favor of equal value and within their power, then leaves to return to Cardan.