The chapter opens with the protagonist visiting Athebyne for the second time, troubled by hidden information from Xaden Riorson.
The protagonist stayed in the library, contemplating thoughts and dealing with a stiff neck and back.
Xaden landing on Sgaeyl’s back signals a gesture of trust as he shares information with the protagonist.
Ten riders land before a scheduled meeting, six dragons hide, and four stand ready.
Tairn assures the secrecy of the dragons’ presence from others as they stay downwind.
There is tension between Tairn and Sgaeyl, which the protagonist jokes about as parental disagreement.
Xaden confronts the protagonist about not returning to bed, and a discussion about intentions and trust follows.
A sound from the clearing indicates the meeting is starting earlier than planned.
Discussions take place about a recent journal study and whether Xaden has ever manipulated the protagonist's feelings with his signet.
Mira, a confident character, questions the protagonist's readiness for the upcoming encounter.
Melgren's entry leads to a tense discussion about past actions and future consequences of a battle at Samara.
Ulices, Brennan, Xaden, and Mira reject Melgren's proposition to fight alongside Navarre.
Melgren reveals a vision of Navarre's loss at Samara on solstice, triggering concerns about the impact of ward breakdowns.
The protagonist's mother converses with her, giving her a journal with information to help fix the potentially faulty wards.
A wyvern reanimates, but the protagonist's lightning kills it, revealing that someone has likely distributed runes to the venin.
The chapter concludes with the protagonist worried about her ability to uncover the truth behind Warrick's wards, feeling the pressure to prevent an impending disaster.