Summary

In Chapter 22, the point of view returns to that of a third person narrator. When Syen and the others return to Meov there is a huge celebration. Because Syen had been called upon to sink two ships and had seen the destruction she caused in Allia, she feels as if they are celebrating her mass murders. Instead of joining the celebration, Alabaster stays with Syen and talks her through her grief. He says he understands how she feels, but he will not give any details. He gives her two rings, telling her she has earned them.

Alabaster asks Syen if she has heard the story of Misalem that the Guardians tell kids to demonstrate that orogenes are inherently evil. He called the story nonsense and said that Misalem had decided to kill the emperor because he was allowing others to kill orogenes and...