Viv lies awake in her room at Thistleburr, unable to focus on reading Stark House, unsettled by the wind and a phantom scent of frozen copper. She checks on Satchel, who is silent in his bag, then douses the lantern and falls asleep.

She dreams of Varine the Pale on the same dark promontory described in her book. The necromancer, monstrous and looming, raises wights from the earth and tells Viv she possesses something that belongs to her. Viv reaches for her saber but finds instead a greatsword on her back; gripping its hilt fills her with certainty. Varine names the blade Blackblood before piercing Viv with cold. Viv jerks awake clutching her side, her hand locked on the greatsword's hilt.

Unable to rest, Viv applies bonedust to her thigh and summons Satchel for company. She reveals she now knows the sword is called Blackblood, learned through the dream. Satchel confirms the name and warns that his Lady will come. Viv tells him about Rackam and the others hunting Varine, and the two share their first long conversation.

Viv accuses Satchel of withholding more than just Varine's secrets—out of fear. He confesses that Varine can retrieve and relive his every memory and inflict pain on him, so he hides things even from himself. Viv asks whether he wants to be free of Varine; he admits he does. She argues this is his best chance: with her, Blackblood, and Rackam closing in, Varine could be trapped and killed. Satchel doubts steel can kill Varine, but when Viv presses for another way, he considers, then agrees there may be a method—difficult, but possible. Viv smiles fiercely and asks him to explain.