After a day at sea and another by wolfback, Meryn’s group lands south of Blumenfall to avoid detection. She monitors her bond with Egith, Alpha of the loyal Bonded sheltering in Blumenfall, confirming that they remain safe. Lucien and Elias suffer in their heavy layers while the others tease them to lighten the mood.

Meryn and Stark ride into Linsfall alone; Egith’s intelligence has confirmed that the city has fallen to Killian. Using Kryptos rifting magic to cloak them, Meryn and Stark slip in behind a passing cart. The city is unusually quiet.

At the square, Meryn approaches the statue of the Faceless Goddess. Warmth radiates from its stone hands, convincing her that the Tear is hidden there, but she finds no opening and feels strangely reluctant to destroy the monument. Anassa detects someone approaching.

A cloaked figure enters, prays before the statue, and reveals herself as the Mother Priestess. Meryn assumes that she’s under Killian’s control. When the priestess draws a hammer, Meryn drops her rift and demands that she stop. The priestess kneels, addresses Meryn as queen, and confirms that she serves Killian willingly, proclaiming that he will use the Tears to become a deity on earth.