After Theophanie slices Mira Sorrengail’s throat, Theophanie immediately throws her dagger toward Jack Barlowe, but a wyvern snatches Theophanie off the ground and carries her south as wyvern wings fill the sky. Violet abandons pursuit to save Mira, applying pressure to the severe neck wound while Brennan Sorrengail rushes in to mend, even as dragons, including Sgaeyl, Tairn, and Marbh, engage wyvern and Xaden Riorson casts a shadow barrier to shield them.

Amid the battle, Garrick retrieves the venin dagger from the Rybestad chest while Bodhi forces the other door shut, and Xaden orders Garrick and Chradh to spirit the chest away when he realizes Jack must hold valuable information. Garrick and Chradh disappear with the trunk. Overhead, Thoirt and Cath arrive bearing Sloane Mairi and Dain Aetos, who landed despite orders and the city’s wards.

With Brennan reaching the limit of his power, Violet begs Sloane to help. Dain offers his own power for transfer, instructing Sloane on how to draw from his excess and push to Brennan’s deficit. Despite her fear of becoming like Dain, Sloane grips Dain’s wrist and Brennan’s neck, channeling power while Bodhi guards them. The transfer restores Brennan’s strength enough for him to heal Mira; the bleeding stops and a thick pink scar forms across Mira’s throat.

Relief floods Violet as Brennan confirms Mira lives, while the battle intensifies over Draithus with dragons and gryphons firing cross-bolts into approaching wyvern. Violet urges Dain and Xaden to aid the city’s defense. Dain departs on Cath, Sloane mounts Thoirt to return across the wards despite bristling at Dain’s command, and Xaden launches with Sgaeyl after giving Violet a firm reminder to use only Tairn’s power and complete her mission.

Brennan carries Mira to safety, declining to leave additional runes with Violet at her request. Before leaving, Violet pockets a sealed Dunne package addressed to Aaric that Sloane brought. Xaden and Sgaeyl take to the air toward the city, and Brennan departs with Marbh, while Sgaeyl, Tairn, and Marbh also examine chains restraining Teine on the field.

Left on the ground with Bodhi, Violet steels herself to continue the plan and help free Teine. Bodhi notes a new problem now that Xaden has departed, underscoring that their mission must proceed even as the larger battle for Draithus rages nearby.