The Harts attending the second moot continue to work towards healing Nethras whilst, back home in Carlisle nightmares are visited upon the refugees, leaving them in a trembling stupor. Visitors from the Court of Stories bring warning that the Nethras pillar at Selby is failing, while Lady Alexandra of the Court of Dreams also brings a message of concern regarding the nightmares. With a new ritualist amongst them, the factions ritual teams see success in the circle despite having to perform one in the midst of a defense against assassination attempts by Calligar’s minions.