Balros, High Priest of the Boeruinese Hidden Temple of Cuiraecen, charges one of his priestesses-- Aerona Morgenstane-- with the duty of traveling to Wilder's Gorge to heed Baroness Cuinn Fulcairn's request for clergy to build the temple of Cuiraecen's presence. Aerona, originally a Wilder, responds with some trepidation, but agrees to return to her homeland. She is given orders to (respectfully) replace the Haelynite temple holdings. A mysterious nobleman in red armour is glimpsed in the temple.
Cathal informs Cuinn and Mara that he has been summoned to Rjurik as per his technically-unfulfilled pact with the Yngvi. Cuinn is furious, accusing him of abandoning his family on the eve of war, and storms out without a further word.
The following morning, Dolan decides to ride after him, after an uncharacteristically emotional goodbye to Mara.
Aerona makes her way to the Keep and presents herself to Cuinn. Cuinn is doubly pleased upon learning she is Nieve and Adair's younger sister, and gives Aerona warm welcome. She and Mara bring Aerona to the temple holdings. Aerona is disturbed by a foreboding presence and a ghostly clinking sound. A tense exchange occurs, where Cuinn explains to Gwenevier that the temple holdings in Wilder's Gorge are being transferred to the church of Cuiraecen, but asserts that she is an honoured guest and would always be welcome in Wilder's Gorge.
Later, Gwenevier visits Aerona and discloses that "bloodshed" transpired in the temple; this confirms Aerona's uneasy feeling.
Aerona asks Cuinn about it and, not wishing to dissemble, Cuinn speaks with candor of the fight with the Sword of Haelyn, but asserts that Mara only studied necromancy to defend the House against necromantic attacks.
Gwenevier leaves Fulcairn Keep to travel the lands preaching the word of Haelyn, and Dreya decides to go with her.
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