San Michon was bustling as Silversaints returned for the defence of Avinbourg and dozens of initiates crowded the barracks. The culture among the initiates shifted around Gabriel de León after the Falls Bridge battle; when de Séverin insulted Gabriel, Aaron de Coste firmly shut it down, signaling Gabriel’s new standing.

On famdi, the day before prièdi, Gabriel and Aaron underwent long tattoo sessions with the Silver Sorority. Gabriel, inked by Astrid Rennier among the sisters, received Eirene, Angel of Hope, on his forearm, while Aaron suffered the completion of a full-back Redeemer piece under Prioress Charlotte. Gabriel publicly thanked the sisters for their indispensable role, drawing a rare near-smile from Charlotte and a secret smile from Astrid.

Afterward, outside in the snow, Aaron apologized to Gabriel for past mistreatment and for misjudging him over Aaron’s secret with Baptiste Sa-Ismael. Gabriel forgave him, and they reaffirmed their brotherhood. Aaron admitted Laure Voss’s taunts about his past haunted him; Gabriel counseled that past is stone and future clay. They joked about fighting at Avinbourg, with Gabriel eager to earn more ink.

In the refectory, the brothers celebrated Aaron’s impending induction. Khalid toasted him, and despite Gabriel’s usual abstinence, he shared drinks in the fellowship. Horns then sounded from Mère Valley; the monastery answered with bells as Empress Isabella arrived early, leading a vast army bearing Emperor Alexandre’s unicorn. The brothers assembled in the Great Library with the Silver Sorority; Astrid and Chloe were present, but Greyhand was initially absent.

Empress Isabella entered in regal yellow and a silver breastplate, offering brief, stirring praise. Abbot Khalid then presented the strategic map: with a blinding storm over Talhost and the Endless Legion estimated at ten thousand, the silversaints would act as a knife while the imperial host held Avinbourg. The plan was for the Order to sail around the Cherchant to strike Fabién Voss’s rear at dawn. Khalid declared all initiates, including Gabriel, would remain to guard San Michon against Laure Voss, disappointing the younger ranks.

Frère Greyhand arrived and challenged the assumptions, questioning why Laure Voss had left so clear a trail and why all four hunters had survived if she had not intended it. He warned that defending only Avinbourg left their "belly" exposed, pointing to Charinfel, the other Nordlund pass. Gabriel proposed that Greyhand lead the initiates to hold Charinfel; Talon objected, but Greyhand pressed the risk.

After counsel, Isabella accepted a compromise on General Nassar’s advice: one thousand soldiers would reinforce Charinfel with Greyhand and the initiates, while the main plan against Avinbourg proceeded. The initiates rejoiced at having a role. Gabriel later revealed that by next morning he learned he would, in fact, be left behind after all, undercutting his hopes.