In a reflective entry, Raeve describes the days after her first difficult fighting lesson with Veya under Dhomm's harsh sun. Sore, coated in sun-deterrent poultice, and eager to reach Slatra, Raeve arrives at the dragon's grated hutch door and finds it locked. Kaan Vaegor is waiting beside it with the key, a meal tray, and a three-stringed emberwood instrument, playing while he blocks her path.

When Raeve lunges for the key, Kaan stops her easily and orders her to eat first. Raeve resents the demand because the thing on her head keeps her nauseous and because she wants to get to Slatra, but Kaan's expression makes it clear that his rule will not bend. Needing access to the hutch, Raeve forces down the rich, spicy stew too fast, then barely reaches the privy before vomiting.

By the time Raeve returns, Kaan is gone and the door is unlocked. The next slumber, however, Kaan is back outside the hutch with a smaller, milder meal and colk milk, adjusting after seeing what happened the first time. The food reminds Raeve of home and sits better in her stomach.

That moment becomes a repeated ritual. Each slumber, Raeve eats in silence while Kaan plays, gains the key to Slatra's hutch, and then goes to curl up against Slatra's tail while Kaan's music follows her down the tunnel. Raeve still does not understand Kaan's motives, but the chapter ends with an important shift: Raeve realizes she has started looking forward to the routine.