After resigning from the Oath Gazette, Iris Winnow typed a letter to her anonymous correspondent to announce she was leaving her home the next day, which would end their communication through the wardrobe portal. She reflected on why she felt compelled to inform him and noted that he had recently revealed himself to be an older brother. Earlier that day, Iris had visited the undertaker, paid for her mother Aster Winnow’s cremation, and received a small jar of ashes.

Determined to leave Oath and its heavy memories, Iris resolved to seek a position as a war correspondent at the Inkridden Tribune; failing that, she would join the war effort in any support role that could bring her closer to finding her brother Forest. She thanked the correspondent for his earlier candor about Del and observed how time felt different within letters. She sent the farewell through the portal, chose clothes for the next day, and tried to sleep in her now-empty flat.

Late at night, Iris was awakened by noise from neighbors and discovered a new letter on the floor. The reply was terse—“May I ask where you’re going?”—which struck her as intrusive given their mutual anonymity. Deciding not to answer, she tied the letter with the others and tried to sleep, but in the dark she was overcome by guilt over her mother’s death, blaming herself for not having searched for Aster sooner.

At first light, Iris prepared carefully for her new endeavor despite thinking appearance might not matter at the front. Another letter arrived, which she chose not to read. She packed a small valise with meaningful items: select clothing, all saved letters from the correspondent, her grandmother’s poetry book, the sealed jar of her mother’s ashes, and Forest’s trench coat. She left behind many possessions, including the crinkled Inkridden Tribune issue with the smeared eithral, which she set face-down on her desk.

Iris then sought out her mother’s locket from a box of belongings and clasped it on, hiding it beneath her blouse; inside were small portraits of Iris and Forest. She hoped Forest’s image would guide her to him and found herself praying, despite having not prayed in a long time. Finally, she packed her typewriter into its hard case with paper and ink ribbons, stepping around the latest unread letter on the floor.

Before leaving, Iris hesitated over the unopened note, suspecting it likely urged her to reply or tried to dissuade her from seeking war reporting. Firm in her decision and unwilling to argue, Iris departed the flat, leaving the letter lying in a pool of sunlight.