Summary

The Grand Ball unravels from Eoin’s perspective as he and his six comrades stop the assailants and protect the nobles. Eoin is surprised to find Soteria alive and well, and he realizes that she is also a member of the Blessed, but on the wrong side of the battle. Eoin barely escapes, losing a few of his own men, and Soteria escapes the venue before the reinforcements arrive. Six weeks after the Grand Ball, Mirari reflects on Eoin’s story about the Althaean Siege and the Grand Ball, acknowledging that there may be a greater enemy at hand. Mirari begins to believe that the Blessed may not be evil after all, but knows that Gaven’s mind could not be changed. Trust between Mirari and Gaven grows thinner when Gaven executes the man who attempted to kill Mirari, further affirming Mirari’s...