Niclays Roos wakes in agony, discovering his throat has been cauterized and his hand amputated. He and Laya are suspended in an iron cage inside Dreadmount, birthplace of the Nameless One. On the cavern wall, Niclays sees a painting depicting Cleolind Onjenyu—not Galian Berethnet—driving Ascalon into the Nameless One's breast. A woman who looks exactly like Sabran Berethnet appears in the cage and introduces herself as Kalyba, one of the Firstblood immortals. She explains that she prepared Dreadmount for the Nameless One's return and that the painting was commissioned by the beast himself. She tempts Niclays by claiming she can share immortality and even restore the dead to life—then shapeshifts into the likeness of Jannart, Niclays's lost love, and asks for "one small favor" in return.

In Ascalon Palace, Sabran hosts a secret council of war with Jantar Taumargam of the Ersyr and Kagudo Onjenyu, the young High Ruler of Lasia. They debate how to assault the Draconic stronghold of Cárscaro in Yscalin. Sabran proposes a siege passage under the palace, with Donmata Marosa as an ally inside, while a main force creates a diversion. Kagudo initially objects to the plan that has the South fighting the "kittens" while Sabran faces the Nameless One, but Ead suggests Kagudo join the sea battle if she wishes. Ultimately, Kagudo decides to lead her forces at Cárscaro, closer to her homeland, and sends Raunus to the sea front instead.

After the council, Ead sits alone in the Privy Garden, overwhelmed by the weight of her responsibility—everything depends on her and Tané wielding the jewels to bind the Nameless One. Kagudo seeks her out and reveals she has long known Ead's identity through Chassar. Kagudo subtly encourages Ead to consider becoming the next Prioress, offering her political support if Ead can defeat the Nameless One. She also reveals that Sabran has promised to publicly restore the truth about Cleolind Onjenyu, acknowledging that it was Cleolind—not Galian—who vanquished the Nameless One a thousand years ago.

Margret finds Ead and shares that King Jantar has brought the sword Valour. Margret plans to wait until after the battle to marry Tharian, since Loth is absent. As dawn breaks, Tané joins them. Sabran rides out in silver armor on a white warhorse, flanked by Aralaq and the Dukes Spiritual, and addresses the people of Virtudom, publicly announcing that the Draconic Army has returned.