- They have to go through a mountain pass to get into Leck City, which means leaving their horses at an inn near its base. As they approach the mountains, Po remarks that the landscape reminds him of Lienid, and they talk more of Po's upbringing and how his mother and grandfather collaborated to hide his Grace in order to protect him.
- Katsa wonders at a mother having to protect a child from its father, which leads her to think of Leck's daughter, Bitterblue. Could that be why the queen of Monsea locked herself and her child away? To protect Bitterblue from Leck?
- The thought spurs Katsa and Po to move a little faster, just in case.
- In preparation for approaching Leck's court, Po asks Katsa to consent to do what he tells her to do, and only what he tells her to do, until he can get a better sense of Leck's power. Katsa agrees that's probably a good idea and tells him yes, of course she'll consent to that.
- Crossing the mountain pass is treacherous and cold, but Katsa finds it beautiful, as does Po, who is again reminded of home by the view from the top.
- As they descend the other side of the mountain, getting closer to Leck's court, Po once again makes Katsa promise to follow his instructions when the time comes and she again agrees—especially when she realizes just how worried he is.