Part II The Baths — Chapter Eight

Senlin wakes with a hangover after celebrating with John Tarrou despite having failed to get the painting moved to the skyport. He reviews his original, flawed swap plan and accepts he must now infiltrate the Bureau instead. He writes a discreet note to Ogier requesting a convincing copy and buys a used journal to pose as a critic.

Arriving at the Bureau, Senlin is escorted by a cadet through militarized halls carved into the Tower. The cadet shyly asks about spring, revealing his inexperience of the world beyond the Tower, which briefly softens Senlin’s nerves before he reaches the sunlit solarium.

In the solarium, guard Kristof searches Senlin and supervises his “critique.” Senlin feigns note-taking while evaluating Kristof’s alertness and the room’s constraints. He is awed by the view of the skyport and the Commissioner’s colossal fortress airship, the Ararat, learning its fearsome capabilities from Kristof.

Over a perfunctory shared lunch, Kristof remains stolid and unreadable, leaving Senlin unsure whether the guard is dull or cunning. As the heat grows, Senlin ends the day’s session, directs Kristof to move the painting to a cooler interior room, and departs without incident.

Walking out unchallenged, Senlin regains confidence. With Ogier summoned to produce a copy and the painting accessible under predictable supervision, he resolves to return the next morning to further his attempt at the swap.