Chapter 52

A female visitor with striking ember eyes arrives and sets food beside Slátra, who remains passive. The scarred male from before carries the narrator up to the Imperial Stronghold and places her in a bath, where his sister Veya washes her and introduces herself as a combat instructor at Drohk Academy. When Veya offers to teach her combat, the narrator experiences a sudden rekindling of purpose and hope.

A female with ember eyes similar to the male visitor from the previous night arrives and carefully places a bowl of food beside Slátra's tail, but the narrator falls back asleep. Later, the heavily scarred male scoops the narrator into his arms despite her thrashing and screaming; Slátra shows no resistance. The male carries her up through the tunnel of stairs into the Imperial Stronghold and places her in a tub of warm, bubbly water while fully clothed, then leaves the room. The female—introduced as Veya Vaegor—undresses the narrator and bathes her. Veya speaks about her upbringing where bodies and flesh are not treated as shameful, particularly breasts which are worshiped for nourishing clan younglings. The narrator remains largely unresponsive, staring at the wall and feeling as if there is little point in anything, comparing her state to how Haedeon felt during his mute phase. When Veya reveals she teaches combat at Drohk Academy and offers to provide lessons, the narrator experiences a sudden surge of purpose and life, accepting the offer with fierce enthusiasm.