Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal death, graphic violence, and death.

Oak awakens on the cold prison floor to the presence of Bogdana, who brings him a revolting meal and accuses him of using a servant girl, Fernwaif, to aid his escape, though Oak insists he acted alone. Bogdana reveals that Wren intervened to protect the servant and warns Oak that there will be dire consequences if he tries to escape again.

Hours later, Oak is awakened by guards. Fearing another round of torture, he fights against them despite his injuries. He only stops when Hyacinthe tells him Wren has summoned him for dinner. He stops fighting, and Hyacinthe leads him out of his cell. As they walk together, Oak warns Hyacinthe about Valen’s ambitions and Bran’s murder, suggesting that Valen is plotting something. Hyacinthe also tells Oak that Wren’s unbinding magic, which she used to break the curse on the Stone Forest and destroy Lady Nore’s army, is taking a toll on her. Each time she uses her power, it weakens her physically and mentally. Nevertheless, she is under pressure from Bogdana to keep doing so. Hyacinthe urges Oak to persuade Wren to let him go or, failing that, to escape and take the political conflict away from the Citadel.