Shae begins her first days as Weather Man in Doru’s old corner office, physically surrounded by reminders of his long authority and deeply aware that many in No Peak will doubt her. Because the clan is at war and Lantern Men may defect if confidence falters, Shae decides she must immediately secure public support from Woon Papidonwa and Hami Tumashon, the two men most credible as possible successors to Doru.

Maik Tar brings Woon to Shae, and Woon arrives frightened that Hilo has ordered punishment for his failure to protect Lan. Shae instead appeals to Woon’s grief and loyalty, telling him Lan would have forgiven him and that No Peak cannot afford to lose capable people. She offers Woon the new post of Chief of Staff, effectively her right hand, and Woon accepts, believing service to Shae is how he can atone for failing Lan.

Shae then meets Hami Tumashon, a respected former Fist turned corporate lawyer who is skeptical of serving under her. Rather than pretend certainty, Shae acknowledges her weak position and asks for blunt advice on how to keep the Weather Man’s office and Lantern Men from collapsing under Mountain pressure. Hami responds with practical counsel: win over senior Luckbringers, act quickly, and use the current uncertainty to make necessary changes.

Shae and Hami identify Doru’s loyalists and the divisions harmed by Doru’s cautious, centralized leadership. Shae announces that Woon will become her Chief of Staff and then fires the long-serving Master Luckbringer, Pado Soreeto, replacing him with Hami. By elevating both Woon and Hami, Shae binds the two respected men to her leadership and gains enough credibility to face the staff.

The next day, while Doru’s furniture is removed from her office, Shae addresses the senior Luckbringers with Woon and Hami at her sides. Shae frames their office work as part of the same war effort as the Horn’s street fighting, warning that No Peak’s defeat would destabilize the entire Kekonese economy. Hami announces evaluations, audits, personnel changes, recruitment of new Luckbringers, and retirement stipends for those unwilling to serve under the new order; although some staff are unhappy, no one openly challenges Shae.

By evening, Shae feels she has survived the first forty-eight hours and earned a temporary chance to prove herself. A call from the Minister of Tourism, furious over foreign travel advisories and the city’s violence, reveals the wider political consequences of the clan war and the shock outsiders feel at Doru’s supposed resignation and Shae’s appointment. Shae returns to the stacks of operational files, accepting that her authority will depend on relentless work.