Dengizich's riders have been sighted, and Roman patrols are more frequent. The sanctuary is now a target. Ildico confronts Theodemir in a sharp dialogue exchange, accusing him of using her son as a pawn. Ildico's inner monologue during a feast reveals her stark realization: 'They don't see a mother and child. They see a weapon to be used or a threat to be eliminated.' Ildico, hearing a noise outside her chamber door late at night, grabs a knife, ready to defend her son from the new, courtly predators.