Ead is summoned before a partial gathering of the Virtues Council in the Alabastrine Tower. Queen Sabran, Lord Seyton Combe (Duke of Courtesy), Lady Igrain Crest (Duchess of Justice), Lady Nelda Stillwater (Duchess of Courage), and Lord Ritshard Eller (Duke of Generosity) question her about the latest cutthroat found dead outside the Great Bedchamber. The council is troubled not only by the assassins but also by the unknown protector who keeps killing them. Ead denies knowledge of anything suspicious. After she leaves, she eavesdrops from a balcony on the council's private deliberations.

The council debates Sabran's marriage prospects. Combe advocates for Aubrecht Lievelyn, the Red Prince of Mentendon, arguing a foreign match would strengthen Virtudom's alliance against Draconic Yscalin. Crest opposes Lievelyn due to his trade with the Eastern wyrm-worshippers in Seiiki and his former engagement to the Donmata Marosa of Yscalin, instead pushing for the elderly High Chieftain of Askrdal in Hróth. Sabran resists both options. When Lord Eller raises rumors of an affair between Sabran and Lord Arteloth, Sabran sharply dismisses the gossip. Combe then reveals that Loth has boarded a ship for Yscalin, supposedly to find Sabran's father, Prince Wilstan. Ead immediately suspects Combe orchestrated Loth's exile. Sabran demands Loth be retrieved, but Combe insists it is impossible now that Loth is in Draconic territory. Sabran, distressed and angry, ends the meeting.

Back in the Queen Tower, Ead learns she must taste Sabran's food—a punishment arranged through Roslain Crest for her storytelling misstep. Ead also corners Truyde utt Zeedeur, threatening to expose Truyde's letters unless Truyde meets her at the Privy Stair after orisons. During the meal tasting in the Royal Solarium, Ead finds Sabran furious and brittle. Through careful conversation—touching on faith, generosity, and love—Ead manages to soften Sabran's mood. Sabran probes Ead about her relationship with Loth, and Ead insists they are only friends. Sabran invites Ead to walk with her in the Privy Garden the next day, signaling a shift in their dynamic.

The chapter then shifts to Loth aboard the Rose Eternal. He reflects on Prince Wilstan Fynch's history—his distance from Sabran during her childhood, their later closeness after Queen Rosarian's death, his departure to serve as ambassador in Yscalin, and his final alarming letter alleging the Vetalda were involved in Rosarian's death. Loth resolves to learn what happened in Cárscaro. On deck, he and Kit meet Estina Melaugo, an Yscali exile and boatswain of the Rose Eternal, who warns them about the dangers ahead and reveals that Yscalin is largely sealed off. She also voices a superstitious suspicion about the Berethnet line's uncanny succession of identical daughters.

Their conversation is shattered when a High Western dragon—an enormous, ancient breed not seen since the end of the Grief of Ages—appears over the ship. The crew scrambles but the beast passes without attacking. Captain Harlowe identifies it as Fýredel, the right wing of the Nameless One, now apparently awakened from centuries of slumber. The sighting confirms the growing dread that the age of Draconic creatures may be returning.