During an unusual attempt on his life, Vlad prays to his goddess Verra for aid and surprisingly receives it.
As payment, Verra requests that Vlad kill the King of Greenaere, an island kingdom off the coast of the Empire, where magic does not work.
Vlad faints from Aibynn's dreamgrass and reveals his hidden location, causing the guards to arrest both of them.
Aliera and Cawti arrive at the prison and free Vlad using elder sorcery, which does not require a link to the Orb.
Back in Adrilankha, Vlad is still stuck between the Jhereg Organization and his wife's group of Easterner and Teckla revolutionists.
Matters worsen when Greenaere declares war on the Empire and press gangs begin forcibly recruiting Easterners.
As he flees the murder scene, Vlad becomes aware of a menacing charge in the South Adrilankha residents.
At Castle Black, Morrolan tells Vlad that the riot turned into a revolt, including a short siege on the Imperial Palace.
While angered by the Empire's brutal suppression of the revolt, Vlad is agonized by the inevitable execution Cawti faces.
Vlad negotiates a peace treaty during a tense stand-off, but the new King wants vengeance on the one responsible for ordering his father killed.
He lets her know that he gives her all his South Adrilankha interests, and leaves her for Castle Black, where he convinces Noish-pa to live in his new county.
Like the mythological beast, Dragaeran phoenixes are flying creatures that die in flames and resurrect from the ashes, representing the house's role of rebirth, rejuvenation, and decay in the cycle.