Hilo storms into Lan’s study, where Shae and Woon are working, and furiously tells Shae that Doru has escaped. Because Shae argued to spare Doru, Hilo blames Shae for leaving No Peak vulnerable: Doru can now bring the Mountain intimate knowledge of No Peak’s finances, businesses, estate, and defenses.

Hilo explains that Om was knocked unconscious, Nune was killed, and Doru somehow overpowered them. Hilo realizes Kaul Sen must have given Doru jade. Hilo confronts his grandfather, who spitefully admits giving Doru jade because Hilo has been taking Kaul Sen’s own jade away and because Kaul Sen still sees Doru as a wronged hero. Hilo, enraged by Kaul Sen’s betrayal and contempt for his successors, orders Dr. Truw called, Kaul Sen sedated, the remaining jade locked up, and Om reassigned to guard Kaul Sen’s room.

Outside, Hilo reflects on No Peak’s worsening position. Public opinion and Chancellor Son’s support have helped after the KJA audit damaged Ayt’s reputation, but Gont and the Mountain are winning the street war through ambushes, gangs, and mercenaries already embedded in No Peak territory. Shae accepts responsibility for sparing Doru and promises to find him, but Hilo believes Doru has already escaped beyond easy reach and that the Mountain must now be treated as knowing all of No Peak’s secrets.

Shae and Woon brief Hilo on No Peak’s deteriorating finances. Tourism has collapsed, jade exports and mining income have stopped because the KJA is suspended, and No Peak’s jade reserves are being drained faster than they can be replenished. Minor clans offer little help: a few side with No Peak or the Mountain, while most wait to back the winner. Shae reveals that the Mountain likely has secret jade contracts with Ygutan and shine profits abroad, giving Ayt a stronger financial base.

In Lan’s study, Shae tells Hilo that No Peak needs money and a reversal in the street war to survive the year, and that they must also plan for failure. Hilo refuses to discuss defeat, then broods alone. He recognizes that he may be outmatched, that Shae, Anden, the Maiks, and distant relatives cannot realistically inherit the Pillarship, and that No Peak may die with him. After grieving the possible extinction of his family and his lost future with Wen, Hilo steadies himself by returning to a Horn’s mindset: even a dying man can still find an opening to kill his enemy.