Changes are upon Arthdal as a new union leader ascends to power with great ambitions to rule as king. As the new union leader, antihero Tagon, builds the groundwork to fulfill his ambitions, many others do the same for their own ambitions — of power, revenge, and freedom. Tanya seeks to find meaning in the inexplicable suffering and death that surrounds her, and with a little help from her owner, she begins to define her ambitions and find a new purpose.
EPISODE 8 RECAP
Saya breaks into a mischievous smile and admits to Taealha that he poisoned Danbyeok. Taealha looks horrified as Saya explains that he feels avenged now that Tagon needs to marry an Asa woman. He adds that Taealha has it better, since Tagon is still alive while his lover, Saenarae, is now dead.
Crying in rage, Taealha yells that she apologized and regretted what she did to Saenarae. Saya reciprocates the apology, but he smirks that he may or may not regret his actions later. He stands and says that he's cleared his grudges against Taealha and offers to reestablish their relationship, since Taealha is sure to need Saya now.
Tanya eavesdrops on this conversation, and Taealha shuts the door when she notices their eavesdropper standing by the doorway. Taealha regains her composure and asks Saya if he knows what she wants and fears, enough to help her. Saya nods, so Taealha orders him to call her "mother" going forward.
Saya laughs and says that they don't have much of an age difference, but Taealha reminds him that she took him in and raised him at her young age. Saya acknowledges this and calls her "mother" with disdain. Taealha lifts her hand to smack him, but he stops her and looks straight into her eyes. He says that she should know more than anyone — the thirst for revenge.
Saya says that Taealha suffered under her father — engaging with a father-like figure (Sanung) and taking orders to kill the person she loves. He says that it's her turn to get revenge. Taealha takes a swig of her wine when she returns to her room and looks determined to get revenge on her father.
Tagon meets with guild member Harim and Chaeeun to check on the body of Danbyeok. Harim says that he's unsure whether Danbyeok was poisoned or ill, but the people think that Danbyeok was cursed by the goddess Isodunyong. Chaeeun and Harim offer their prayers to guide Danbyeok in his death.
After Tagon leaves, Moobaek comes out of hiding and asks Harim if Danbyeok has any chance of survival. Harim says that Danbyeok is close to death, and Moobaek responds that they need to get Danbyeok out of Arthdal as soon as possible, since he'll surely die if he's left there.
As Tagon leaves, he wrongly deduces that Danbyeok's death is Asa Ron's doing, so he orders Mihol's release. He orders his minion to deliver one scroll to Mihol and another to Taealha. Then, Tagon returns to his soldier base and appoints Gilseon the new head of the forces.
Mihol looks surprised by his release and even more alarmed at the news of Danbyeok's death. He receives the message from Tagon, and as he returns to the Fortress of Fire, he hears the warning message: "If you climb too high, you will fall. If you do things you aren't supposed to, you will regret it."
Mihol enters a room, where his servants and Taealha have been awaiting his arrival. He looks tense with anger as he approaches Taealha, but she gratefully grabs his hands and commends her father's foresight in protecting the Hae tribe. If Sanung won, Mihol would be the leader, and if Tagon won, then Taealha would be the leader of the tribe. She feigns humility as she takes on this unworthy title.
Hae Tuak rubs this power transition in Yeobi's face and taunts her for advice. She asks if one should rip someone's mouth with a spoon or with twigs when administering truth serum. Yeobi spits on Hae Tuak's face, and that provokes Hae Tuak to attack with her knife. Yeobi does the same, and the two engage in a fierce fight until Mihol's right hand orders them to stop the commotion.
