Altha spends a long and unnerving night in the dungeon, awaiting her trial.
She prepares herself for the possibility of being hanged, seeking solace in the final sight of the sky and sounds of nature.
Altha reflects on her broken promise to her mother, feeling guilt for not being able to save her.
She grapples with the injustice of possibly being executed for the death of John Milburn.
Altha is haunted by disturbing visions in her cell, including images of her deceased mother and others affected by death.
As she is led to the courtroom, Altha feels disconnected from the world, sensing the veil between life and death lifting.
The courtroom is filled with people and negative emotions, and Altha looks for a sign of her fate in a juror's eye but is met with dismay.
She desperately seeks out her friend Grace in the crowd, who is present but does not meet Altha's gaze.
A judge summarizes the charges of murdering John Milburn by witchcraft and acknowledges the societal fear of witchcraft.
The judge discusses the king's mandate to purge witchcraft and the vulnerability of women to such accusations of evil influence.
Evidence is reviewed, noting the absence of a confession, no witch's mark found on Altha, and the natural occurrence of crows which could have caused the cows to trample Milburn.
The foreman of the jury announces Altha as not guilty, contrary to her expectations.
Altha is overcome with relief and disbelief, perceiving the hostile reactions from afar as if in a dream.
She finally catches Grace looking at her with an unknown expression, suggesting an important but ambiguous connection.