At the next Test, the competitors spar. Cain seems to be getting better and better. After another fighter mocks Celaena, she, infuriated, beats him in three moves without her sword, astounding everyone except Cain. Back in her bedroom, Celaena considers the tapestry, which features a stag—the symbol of the royal house of Terrasen—and knows that Terrasen will always be a part of her.

Elsewhere, Kaltain Rompier watches an acrobatic performance with Queen Georgina. Kaltain is disgusted by Perrington and determined to become Dorian’s wife. Kaltain has recently started suffering from headaches which she secretly treats by smoking opium. Georgina asks if Kaltain has heard about Dorian’s new love, but Kaltain pretends not to know “Lillian.” When Georgina laments that Kaltain is involved with Perrington, Kaltain gains hope that she will become queen. 

Celaena tells Chaol that Cain knows who she is. When a sixth competitor is found murdered, Chaol invites Celaena to investigate the crime scene with him. Celaena notices Wyrdmarks surrounding the mutilated corpse. Reading the clues at the scene, Celaena deduces that the man must have been held in place by the murderer while some creature devoured him alive. Celaena realizes that the murderer could also be “Elena’s mysterious evil force” (226).