The Wilder army rounds up the surrendered soldiers from the Seamist army and takes them to the keep; Cathal insists that they are treated fairly and humanely. Cathal and Reynhild interrogate some of Nyrion Duene's honour guard; they learn that the rank-and-file soldiers bear no great love for Nyrion and Vulpina Duene, that there was no real military leadership during the battle, and that the most distinguished military commander in Seamist, a man named Caern Redstone, has been conspicuously absent for some time.
Cathal thanks Corliss and her Silver Lions for their service to Wilder's Gorge, and bids them farewell.
Melehan informs the trio he will be joining their assault, and that he wishes to recover certain of his possessions. When he refuses to disclose what and why, Cathal angrily confronts him, leading to an uncomfortable standoff between the two.
Without further ado, the Wilder army rides south, first to the occupied town of Firstcairn. They discover it has been abandoned by the occupying Seamist army, and only a straggling handful of Wilders remain. The magistrate, Bulric, has been slain, but most other townsfolk were allowed to escape. Reynhild reunites with her Ghosts, haggard and exhausted but victorious after their efforts to harass the Duenes' army, and commends them with great pride and a rare show of emotion. The young Ghosts are sent home, and the veterans-- Adair, Asha, and Telfyrdd-- are asked by Reynhild to accompany the army. Adair is sent to find his contact Garon, the Seamist ranger who helped him uncover the plot to murder Brinden.
As they debate whether to storm the gates of Seamist or destroy them with Melehan's magic, Adair and Garon reappear. Garon offers to lead them to a secret path into the keep, and cites their fair treatment of the people of Seamist as his motivation to help them. Cathal, Reynhild, and Mara decide to infiltrate the keep by themselves, leaving their forces camped outside.
Led by Reynhild, the three enter the keep through stealth. They overwhelm, interrogate, and then tie up a servant, trying to find the Duenes; unfortunately she is discovered and raises the alarm before too long. They reach the upper floor, but encounter the youngest Duene-- Lady Niela, only five years old, and her bodyguards. Mara casts a sleep spell on them. Not long after, they confront Nyrion Duene, the wizard Faysal, several men-at-arms, and the House of Wind assassin in the Duenes' employ. A fierce battle ensues; Reynhild puts an arrow in Faysal's chest, Cathal cuts the assassin near in half, and Mara incapacitates the group with another sleep spell. Finally Cathal cuts down Nyrion and, crying vengeance for his half-brother Nyrion, bloodthieves him.
Cathal, Mara and Reynhild attempt to interrogate Faysal. He admits to murdering Corrac with sorcery, but will not confess who his master is. Mara casts a spell to compel him, but he breaks his own magical geass and it slays him.
They continue the search and eventually find Vulpina Duene. Reynhild sprints past her guards and subdues her, and both Reynhild and Cathal beseech the guards to cease their service to their unworthy and corrupt masters. With only a few moments before mayhem breaks loose, Reynhild interrogates Vulpina. Vulpina admits to killing her and Nyrion's father, Richard, admits to engineering the assassination of Corrac, Cullan, and Brindon, and states her only motivation was to crush the Fulcairns who she deemed as weak, and take over Wilder's Gorge. Reynhild kills and bloodthieves her, finally avenging Corrac.
The three make haste to pick up the sleeping Lady Niela, and head to the dungeon to free Caern of Redstone. Reynhild hands Niela over to him, and Cathal explains the situation as best he can. Caern advises them to leave. They withdraw; Caern meets them to parley later. Cathal states they wish no harm to the people of Seamist, that they have found justice for their House, and that he wishes to install a regent until Niela is of age. With no suitable regent in mind, Cathal is instated as temporary regent. He delivers a speech to the people of Seamist, informing them of the situation and his intentions, and they retire to the city to await what comes next.
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