Violet’s team travels on horseback through Matyas, Deverelli’s capital, taking in the tree-canopied city and wary reactions from citizens who call them “fire-bringers.” The group dynamics are lighter than usual, with Xaden notably relaxed in the magicless environment, and brief reflections on Violet and Dain’s shared past of riding horses. They navigate crowded markets toward a contact rumored to be a dealer in rare books.

Outside a cloth merchant, Xaden secures information using gemstones, learning the bookseller is two streets up. As they move uphill, insults and suspicion from locals continue. They arrive at Tomes and Tales, a stone bookshop set apart from neighboring buildings, and Violet assigns Ridoc, Drake, and Cat to guard the horses while she enters with Mira, Dain, and Xaden.

Inside the hot, airy shop, with a few patrons browsing and a shopkeeper at the counter, Violet asks after someone named Narelle. The shopkeeper’s alarmed glance is followed by a shout of “Fire-bringers!” and two hidden assailants rush the group. Mira disables a female attacker with a punch, while Violet wounds a male attacker with a precise thrown dagger after Xaden blocks him by kicking an armchair into his path. Dain deters the remaining patrons at swordpoint, urging them to flee through a back exit.

With the immediate threat contained, the shopkeeper accuses them of being “fire-bringers looking for Narelle,” revealing she is protecting something. Footsteps on the stairs draw attention; Dain translates as the shopkeeper calls out in Krovlish to her mother to save herself. Violet declares they are not there to kill anyone.

An elderly woman descends and surveys the scene. Dain relaxes as she approaches. She is Narelle Anselm. After studying the riders, Narelle identifies Violet by her hair and lineage, acknowledging her as Asher Sorrengail’s daughter and stating she holds the books Asher wrote for Violet.

The chapter closes with the emotional reveal that Asher left writings specifically for Violet, confirming the team has found the correct contact in Deverelli and setting up the handoff of crucial research.