On board an airship bound for Caroban, Rory is disturbed from a shadow ritual by a commotion above-deck. He finds that Daughter of Flame is loudly arguing with the captain, claiming that they are going the wrong way, because she senses magic in another direction. Rory tries to defuse the situation, suggesting that what she sensed wasn't really Caroban, and taking her back below-decks to distract her with his shadow-ritual. He conjures up shadow-images reminiscent of his "memories" of Aeonia, and invites Daughter of Flame to join in and dance with him (and Silhouette). Daughter of Flame takes to the pastime much more enthusiastically than Rory expected, and he actually gets to see her smile for the first time.

Much later, they arrive at Caroban, awed by its bizarre splendor, and part ways once reaching there, as Daughter of Flame is led to the School of Fire, and Rory goes to the School of Shadow.