Rune rides through the night expecting Gideon or other soldiers to be waiting for her, but no ambush comes. Reassured only slightly, she keeps checking behind her as she urges the stolen horse onward, wrapped in Gideon’s jacket.

When Rune reaches the waterfront, she sees that Blood Guard soldiers now surround the area. She slips into the wooded park where Aurelia and Meadow are hiding, and Aurelia quietly explains that security has doubled and witch-hunting hounds are everywhere, making escape far more dangerous.

The immediate crisis becomes Meadow, whose crying risks exposing them before they can move. Rune tries to help, but nearby soldiers hear the noise and enter the park, forcing Rune to pull Aurelia and Meadow deeper into the trees while Aurelia prepares to defend them with her pistol.

As one soldier comes close enough to discover them, Aurelia raises the gun and Rune reaches for Gideon’s pistol, knowing that shooting would reveal their position to every nearby guard. Before the soldiers can find them, another soldier arrives with urgent orders: all hands are needed elsewhere in town.

The searching soldiers leave at once, and the park falls silent. Looking out toward the waterfront, Rune sees that the way to Alex’s waiting boat is suddenly open, giving Rune, Aurelia, and Meadow a chance to escape.