Jaskier records the story told by Seanchaí, which begins with the Lark. Previously known as Éile, she was a warrior of the Raven Clan, responsible for protecting the king of Pryshia, a mighty elven kingdom. Unwilling to live as a warrior, Éile became a wandering bard, and renamed herself as "the Lark". While performing at a tavern, the Lark sees a group of men harassing a young girl and beats them up. The girl, named Ithlinne, reveals she has seizures and visions. However, the Lark is arrested for beating up the men. In jail, she meets Fjall, previously a warrior of the Dog Clan, responsible for protecting the king of Xin’trea. Fjall was exiled for bedding Princess Merwyn, the sister of King Alvitir and an eccentric; she believes that the past will repeat itself, and is obsessed with Solryth, a figure who united ruined kingdoms and made them prosperous. The Lark and Fjall threaten each other, until they realize neither is active in their clan. Fjall is bailed out of jail, and the Lark attacks him, stealing his necklace. Fjall's younger cousin, who bailed him, informs him of a peace treaty that Xin'trea and Pryshia are going to sign, and requests for him to return to Xin'trea. Fjall refuses. Meanwhile, the Lark uses Fjall's necklace to escape from jail, and subsequently finds her sister, Niamh, back at her hut, who asks her to return to the Raven Clan and redeem herself, and also informs her of the peace treaty. The Lark refuses, but Ithlinne appears in her hut, and reveals a vision that if the Lark returns to the Raven Clan, she will get redemption. The Lark brings Ithlinne to her mother and then goes to find her sister. Reunited, they are attacked by what appear to be soldiers of Xin'trea, Pryshia and Darwen. Fjall, having come to recover the necklace, aids her in fighting them off, but Niamh dies. The Lark and Fjall discover that the armies are going to fight against their monarchy and thus the clans. They cremate Niamh, and then travel via ship to warn their clans. In Xin'trea, during the peace treaty signing, Princess Merwyn is revealed to have joined a coup to avoid an arranged marriage by her brother. All three monarchies and their clans are then annihilated by a dark beast summoned by the mage Balor. Merwyn becomes Empress, and dreams of being the next Solryth. Fjall and the Lark learn of Merwyn's actions. Fjall doubts that Merwyn could be the culprit, but swears her death if it is true. The two make a blood oath and seek out Scian, the last member of the Ghost Tribe and the person who taught Éile about swordsmanship. Scian agrees to help them, but states they need more allies.