The Underworld Council meets. Iliar is stripped of the title of Mistress of Rock; Corinthi is ousted as Lord, and Shayilbey voted into his place; Rhentagoth is set aside as Vizier and made Master of Rock; Kytek seeks leave to travel to the Palace.
As Neela and Bricchana both visit the Palace, and Winnowill makes another sally on Ktai, Rayek grows increasingly surly and grim over the threat Blue Mountain is posing to him and Ktai.
Ktai grows increasingly strained in her attempts to soothe Rayek and keep him eased of mind, and believes herself a failure when she succumbs to sleep.
Alorn returns to the Mountain with only Saeros and not what she was charged to bring, instead informing Azeure of her Recognition to Saeros. Azeure takes the oppertunity to vie for a position… in Winnowill’s bed. In the middle of it, Sar asks permission to attempt the creation of a child with Rhalina.