FitzChivalry finds himself alone, stranded in a strange city with Skill ghosts. Fogged, mentally and physically, he makes his way into the city in a daze, trying to make sense of the abandoned ruins. Fitz spends a night, dreams of Molly and Chade, then wakes up determined to get back to his companions. A map tower, a dragon, and a strangely inscribed pillar later, he finds himself being greeted by his brother, Nighteyes.