Gideon stands chained under guard in Wintersea while Noah and the surviving ministers prepare to abandon the estate and retreat to the fortified Rookery on the western coast. As reports of executions mount and their military position worsens, Noah’s council discusses the move, and Aila Woods urges immediate departure before enemy forces reach Wintersea. Gideon reflects that he has been kept alive because he knows Cressida well, but he is also distrusted for helping witches, so he remains a valuable prisoner rather than an ally.

The meeting reveals the Republic’s desperate situation. Noah is exhausted, morale is low, and the surviving army has only the weapons it managed to carry out of the capital. Laila, now acting captain, helps coordinate the evacuation and warns that Soren’s soldiers have been seen near the main road, making speed and secrecy essential.

During the discussion, Gideon hears a heavy thump from the upper floor. Most of the room ignores it, but Laila also notices the sound, confirming that Gideon is not imagining it. Because Gideon knows Wintersea well and insists he has no intention of rejoining Cressida, Laila takes the risk of borrowing him from his guards, removes his manacles, and brings him upstairs to investigate.

They split up to search the dark second floor. Guided by both the location of the noise and his instinct, Gideon enters Rune’s bedroom, where her lingering scent sharpens his suspicion that the disturbance is connected to her. After finding no one in the obvious hiding places, he remembers the false wall leading to Rune’s secret casting room. He opens it, notices the smoke of a freshly extinguished candle, realizes someone has just been there, and steps inside, only to be struck on the head by an unseen attacker.