Chapter 47

The protagonist discovers through Agni's Dragonsight examination that Elluin bears a fatal heart wound that should have killed her, suggesting she was stabbed to death contrary to the story told. The protagonist confides this secret to Pyrok and hints at investigating Elluin's old diary, which may contain answers about her mysterious departure.

After placing the unconscious Elluin on a pallet in a guest suite, the protagonist asks Agni if something is wrong. Agni reveals that through her family's Dragonsight ability, she has detected numerous runes layered on Elluin's body, including a mysterious silver-glowing wound directly over her heart—a killing wound that should have been fatal. The protagonist swears Agni to secrecy from the King, not wanting to reveal this discovery until understanding how Elluin survived. In the sitting room, Pyrok confronts the protagonist about overhearing this conversation. The protagonist justifies keeping secrets, displaying scars on her back from past violence and expressing her hunger for war against Tyroth and Cadok as recompense for family betrayals. They settle into a game of Skripi, wagering favors instead of gold. During play, the protagonist mentions that Elluin kept a diary hidden in the very suite where she now sleeps, though it was left in Arithia over a hundred phases ago. Pyrok questions whether the protagonist can visit Tyroth without starting a premature war. The protagonist wins the game decisively using a strategic card arrangement, claiming a future favor from Pyrok. She considers visiting The Shade alone, reflecting bitterly on her estrangement from Elluin and her conflicted feelings about reintroducing herself to the recovered woman.