The Empress frees all the revolutionists and honors Vlad with the title of Count Szurke. He gives his primary businesses to his loyal lieutenant, Kragar. Following Cawti's second release, Vlad and Cawti acknowledge that Cawti has changed and they no longer love each other as they first did. 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. After these arrangements, Vlad flees Adrilankha to avoid Jhereg vengeance. As he sets out, he wonders what his new life will have in store for him.