Fitz returns through the Skill pillar and warns the company of Regal's army. Meanwhile, Verity is feeling a renewed sense of hope for his dragon with Kettle's help. Fitz feels left out and eventually drifts to Verity's dragon, where Kettle confronts him with some harsh truths. The end of this chapter steals the early hope away and leaves the company with a lifeless, but complete, statue and the dread of Regal's soldiers.