21. Ashes

In the aftermath of a bandit attack on the caravan, Shallan negotiates with the caravan leaders Macob and Tyn to travel together to the Shattered Plains. She consolidates her control over the deserters under her command, acquires five freed slaves from Tvlakv, and witnesses the former bandits beginning to find redemption through the gratitude of the caravan workers.

Following the violent assault on the caravan, Shallan grieves over Bluth's corpse and discovers he had kept her sketch of him as a better man. Vathah executes the remaining bandits while the caravan suffers heavy casualties among both workers and guards. Shallan meets with caravan owner Macob and guard captain Tyn, who initially suspect her of leading the attack. Shallan negotiates a mutual agreement: her soldiers will protect the caravan to the Shattered Plains in exchange for provisions and proper accommodations for herself. Macob insists she keep the slave traders Tvlakv and Tag at the rear of the caravan. When confronted by Vathah about his men's uncertain fate upon reaching the Shattered Plains, Shallan is saved from his threatening grip by Pattern's intervention. She then confronts Tvlakv, accusing him of conspiracy with Bluth, though his explanations collapse under scrutiny. Using her leverage, Shallan demands five enslaved individuals from Tvlakv's wagon as payment for saving his life, offering them wages to work off their debt. She also purchases an extra wagon from him. In the final scene, the former deserters watch silently as the caravan workers and their families present them with a prayer of thanks, which the men then burn, appearing to find a measure of redemption in this unexpected gratitude.