At dawn’s edge, Odessa prepared to depart Ravalli with Ransom, Faze secured in a carrier and their horses ready. As they mounted, distant hoofbeats and ground vibrations heralded the arrival of riders flooding the streets: uniformed soldiers and men in civilian clothes bearing King Ramsey Wolfe’s crest, appearing to include militia recruits. The soldiers silently encircled the inn, then opened a path as Ransom mounted, signaling the approach of Ramsey himself.

King Ramsey rode forward and appraised Odessa, identifying her as the Sparrow and stating she should be in Allesaria. Ransom replied that Odessa could not be taken there until she could be trusted, a remark that stung Odessa but crystallized her decision not to betray the Turans despite her father’s aims. Ramsey taunted Odessa about her appearance and Zavier’s interest; Odessa responded politely, masking her defiance, while Ransom forced a passage through the ranks as if to leave.

A sudden shout and a plume of smoke interrupted the standoff. Ransom plunged through the crowd toward the fire, drawing his sword as soldiers parted. They reached Samuel Hay’s home, which was surrounded by men with torches and already burning, while soldiers kept townspeople with water buckets from approaching. Jonas screamed for his father as flames climbed the walls.

Ransom dismounted and rushed into the burning house, moving through the flames unharmed. Odessa restrained Jonas from charging inside as they prayed for Samuel’s safety. Samuel emerged first, arms full of books and clothes, and embraced Jonas before soldiers tried to seize his books. Ransom then exited, covered in soot, carrying more of Samuel’s belongings, and warned the soldiers that touching them meant death.

Ransom’s demeanor shifted into the Guardian’s—controlled but barely contained fury radiating power—which caused the soldiers to retreat. Ramsey ordered his men to ride, and they withdrew, having set the blaze. Odessa confronted Ramsey, calling him a coward and condemning the burning of books and homes. Ramsey, unshaken, implied Turah needed “a few fires,” dismissed rumors of Odessa’s weakness, and issued Ransom a warning that he had one month before Ramsey would seek him out again.

As Ramsey and his men departed, the townspeople surged in to fight the fire and prevent it from spreading. Odessa pressed Ransom about the one-month deadline, but he vanished without answering, leaving Odessa amidst the chaos, Samuel and Jonas safe but their home burning, and the threat of Ramsey’s ultimatum looming.