Gabriel recuperated in the Priory Infirmary under Sister Esmeé after the stable attack in which he fought Vivienne La Cour and two wretched. Greyhand visited, half-jesting about Gabriel’s resilience, and confirmed that during La Cour’s escape a sister had been killed and thrown from the heights. Gabriel, recalling seeing Sister Aoife distraught in the Cathedral the previous night, learned from Greyhand that Aoife was the victim, which stirred his guilt and questions about why she had been there.

Greyhand explained that La Cour escaped by slipping thin, charred hands free of silver restraints after Foundry draining; Talon felt deep guilt, as Aoife had long served him. Gabriel, hiding his suspicion that Aaron de Coste facilitated the escape to have him killed, chose not to confide in Greyhand due to lack of proof and past mistrust. Greyhand praised Gabriel’s defense, probed for any signs of the Skyefall strangeness, and accepted Gabriel’s denial.

Greyhand then relayed that Talon’s testing of Claude de Blanchet confirmed the maker’s blood was potent, indicating an ancien Voss. Abbot Khalid ordered a Hunt, and Talon would ride with Greyhand, Gabriel, and Aaron to train them against such lethal prey. Departure was set for the next day.

After Greyhand left, Gabriel received a long-awaited letter from his sister Celene in Lorson. Celene teased him for not writing, described serving as a candlemaid, complained about Père Louis, mentioned a persistent suitor, and urged him not to get killed and to write their mother. The letter made Gabriel acutely homesick and reflective about his old life, including the news that his former love was to be married.

Astrid Rennier arrived with food, masking her concern with brusque humor while Esmeé mourned nearby. She scolded Gabriel’s recklessness, then confirmed their arrangement: she would continue researching his heritage in the Library during his absence, and he would resume training Chloe on return. Gabriel sensed Astrid’s fear for his safety after Aoife’s murder and the stable attack, and he promised to return.

Astrid gifted Gabriel a flawless sketch of him beside a lion for his upcoming sixteenth saintsday. Emboldened by Celene’s letter, Gabriel asked Astrid to secretly courier a letter to his mother about his true parentage, not trusting priory scrutiny; Astrid agreed and gave him paper and charcoal, instructing him to hide it under his pillow for pickup.

Before leaving, Astrid voiced her resentment of her lack of power and possessions despite imperial blood, calling the priory a cage. She finished with a hard-edged farewell, insisting she would not offer weak blessings because she was “a fucking queen,” and departed, leaving Gabriel with renewed purpose and looming dangers as the Hunt approached.