Raeve remains physically weak and emotionally numb. A woman with ember eyes brings food and dares to place it near Slátra's coiled tail, but Raeve rejects it and falls back asleep instead of engaging.

Later, a heavily scarred man with the same ember eyes wakes Raeve by lifting her into his arms. Raeve thrashes and screams, but Slátra does not intervene, which deepens Raeve's sense of helplessness. The man carries Raeve up the stairs into the Imperial Stronghold and drops her, still clothed, into a warm bath before leaving her with the woman.

The woman undresses and washes Raeve despite Raeve's shame and lack of resistance. She explains that in her culture bodies are not treated as shameful and introduces herself as Veya Vaegor. Veya apologizes for her brother's behavior and keeps talking kindly even while Raeve remains largely withdrawn, thinking bitterly about Tyroth Vaegor and everything she believes he has taken from her.

The chapter shifts when Veya says she teaches combat at Drohk Academy and asks whether Raeve would like lessons. That offer breaks through Raeve's despair because it gives Raeve something active to want again. Raeve answers with sudden intensity, and Veya's invitation restores a first spark of purpose and life in her.