Eragon is tucked away underground in hiding from the dwarves who ambushed him. He is in the home of Glumra, his guard’s mother, delivering the news that her son died in his defense. Glumra’s reaction is loud and surprising: she cuts off the top knuckle of her pinkie finger and then prays to her gods that he is feasting with Morgothal. While Eragon expresses that he wishes he could share her beliefs, he finds he cannot be swayed by one religion and he remains unsatisfied. Orik vows he will find out who was behind the attack and that it must be done before the clanmeet in the morning; otherwise, he’ll just be in more danger. Eragon vows to avenge Glumra.

Eragon is summoned back to Orik’s chambers where he explains their investigation centered around the daggers left behind. The craftsman Kiefna Long-nose sold the daggers to an armorer, who sold them on to a knurlaf from the Durgrimst Nagra. According to her, a dwarf engaged her in the sale without an explanation, but she does know he traveled immediately to one of the Az Sweldn rak Anhûin. Using magical detection, Orik traced the attackers to a storeroom wherein three Vargrimstn (clanless warriors who disgraced themselves) sat; they broke the minds of two and left the third for the other grimstborithn to interrogate.