Odessa enters the hot, candlelit sanctuary beneath the castle with King Roan, Margot, Mae, and a contingent of guards, noting that the space is usually a refuge during the crux migration. Expecting clerics, she finds only two Voster priests—High Priest and Brother Dime—whose magic prickles at her skin. She reflects uneasily on her looming mission to Turah and the possibility of strongholds beneath Allesaria.

Roan confers with Brother Dime, while Odessa shares a tense, darkly humorous exchange with Mae, who is armed and worried that sending Odessa to Turah is a suicide mission. The Turans arrive: Zavier with four rangers and the Guardian entering last, smirking and unhurried. Roan signals Odessa to the altar, where a wooden table holds the parchment treaty, the Shield of Sparrows.

Odessa and Zavier silently read the decree. Odessa struggles to focus under scrutiny and the priests’ magic but discerns the treaty’s scope: the five kingdoms’ generational obligation of a king or future king and a Sparrow, trade and non-invasion stipulations, and binding laws between husband and wife. A crucial clause forbids a king from killing his Sparrow and a Sparrow from killing her king—directly or indirectly—on pain of death for both, enforced by ancient magic.

She studies the historic blood signatures of the original five kings and notes the lineage of names, soon to include her own. The Guardian laughs at moments, provoking Odessa’s fury. The High Priest begins the vows. Under her father’s silent pressure, Odessa vows to uphold the Shield of Sparrows with her union to Zavier. Zavier has the Guardian speak and vow on his behalf.

Roan passes Odessa a quill and her vial of blood. After a brief hesitation, Odessa signs “Odessa Cross,” then Zavier signs with his own blood. The High Priest seals the decree with palpable, painful magic and declares it done, then he and Brother Dime depart with the document. With no kiss or ceremony, Zavier declines Roan’s offer of a feast, brushes a brief kiss on Odessa’s cheek, and leaves with his rangers after exchanging a silent look with the Guardian.

Roan is visibly angered by Zavier’s slight. As Odessa moves to leave, the Guardian taunts her about chasing Zavier and calls her “my queen,” inflaming her humiliation and murderous thoughts. He ends by warning her to enjoy her last night in Quentis and announces the Turans will sail at dawn, fixing the imminent timeline of Odessa’s departure.