Ead awakens from her poison-induced coma after Margret administers a bite of the golden orange fruit that Tané brought from the Priory. Margret explains that a Seiikinese girl arrived at Ascalon Palace carrying the fruit, the Inysh coronation ring, and the rising jewel. Ead is stunned to learn the rising jewel has come west. She reunites emotionally with Sabran, who rushes to her bedside upon hearing the news. Throughout the day, Ead recovers her strength, visited also by her ichneumon companion Aralaq.

That evening, Ead and Sabran share an intimate reunion in the Queen Tower bath. They discuss the coming battle: the alliance fleet will face the Nameless One on the Abyss, and Kalyba—the Witch of Inysca—will likely come bearing the True Sword Ascalon to try to end Sabran's bloodline. Sabran reveals she has accepted the truth about her mage ancestry and the falseness of the Berethnet myth that her bloodline chains the Nameless One. However, Sabran is running a fever, and Ead insists she rest.

The next morning, Ead meets Tané. The two women are wary of each other—Ead a dragon-slayer, Tané a dragon-rider—but they establish a grudging mutual respect. Tané recounts her journey and the events at the Priory, including the Prioress's death and Kalyba's seizure of the orange tree. Ead in turn shares the full history: the Priory, Neporo's letter, the two branches of magic, the comet, the sword Ascalon, and the jewels' purpose. They realize they mirror the ancient pairing of Cleolind and Neporo—one Southern mage, one Eastern—and that their mage blood is why the orange tree yielded Tané a fruit.

Ead proposes that they share the burden of the jewels to bind the Nameless One, as using both alone would be too draining. She explains that ideally someone must drive the sword Ascalon into the Nameless One's heart before they use the jewels, but if the sword cannot be obtained, the Eastern dragons may weaken him enough. Both agree the threat must end permanently. Ead gives Tané the remaining golden fruit to eat, unlocking her siden magic—Tané erupts into flame upon consuming it. They plan to practice with the jewels together at a lake in Chesten Forest.

Ead tends to the feverish Sabran that evening, reflecting on the Priory's uncertain fate under Kalyba's control. Sabran insists on addressing her people about the alliance in two days despite her illness. The chapter ends with Margret delivering urgent news: the rulers of the South have arrived at Summerport.