Gabriel and Astrid burst from the Library into the freezing night, discovering a crowd of silversaints and initiates outside the Armoury hurling slurs and accusations. Gabriel urges Astrid to return to the Priory, then approaches from the Barracks side and sees Seraph Talon on the steps, raging. To Gabriel’s shock, Talon has caught Aaron de Coste and Baptiste Sa-Ismael together, disheveled and exposed to the assembled Brothers.

Abbot Khalid and Forgemaster Argyle push through the mob to demand clarity. Talon claims he witnessed Aaron and Baptiste in each other’s arms in the Foundry, condemning them as oathbreakers and sinners. The crowd murmurs darkly as Brothers spit insults; Baptiste looks stricken and Aaron furious. When pressed, Baptiste attempts to take the blame, saying Aaron was drunk from the feast and in pain from fresh ink, insisting he himself broke no oath to love a woman, but admitting to the act and asking that Aaron be spared.

Aaron rejects Baptiste’s cover, declares openly that they love each other, and insists love is no sin. The admission ignites the mob, with cries to take them to the Bridge, and rough hands begin to seize both men as blows fall. A pistol shot cracks the night; Greyhand fires into the air, halting the frenzy. He asserts that Aaron remains his apprentice until sworn, and refuses to have him judged by a mob. Khalid backs Greyhand, stating the sin demands sanction but only after prayer and contemplation, and orders Aaron and Baptiste locked beneath the Cathedral.

As the crowd disperses, Gabriel lingers, torn between his recent transgression with Astrid and the condemnation he has just witnessed. Greyhand approaches, asking Gabriel if he knew. Gabriel instead asks what will become of Aaron and Baptiste. Greyhand says he will plead for clemency but outlines the Order’s rules: upon Khalid’s return, oathbreakers are flayed with silvered thorns on the wheel to strip their aegis and then cast out. He calls their actions reckless and rejects excuses.

Gabriel reflects on his own risky choice with Astrid and the larger stakes tied to Chloe, the falling star, and bloodscript. He admits he may not be able to ride to Charinfel while Aaron rots in a cell. Greyhand replies that Gabriel will not be riding anywhere. He reminds Gabriel of the disobedience in Coste that cost Greyhand his arm and eye, and when Gabriel cites saving his life, Greyhand responds that Gabriel’s choices cost him dearly. He assaults Gabriel, punching, backhanding, and kicking him to the ground, and denounces Gabriel’s impatience and self-will.

Cooling his rage, Greyhand lectures that there are many kinds of monsters: a man serves God, a monster serves himself. He refuses to ride with monsters and orders Gabriel to choose what he will be while the Brothers are away. Greyhand turns his back and leaves Gabriel bleeding on the snow.