Meg's internal struggle to reconcile her resignation and fear of Irongron with her growing resolve to challenge his authority

Irongron’s hall stinks of spoiled rations and sour wine, a humiliation he will not endure. His tirade exposes the colony’s deep supply shortages, shifting blame to Sir Edward’s well-stocked storehouses …

Bloodaxe attempts to restrain Irongron's reckless pursuit of the fallen star after it lands in the forest. The warlord's immediate impulse to ride out at once clashes with Bloodaxe's call …