Anden carries out a second secret delivery for Lan, picking up an unmarked padded envelope from a walk-up apartment near the Academy. The errand worries Anden because Lan has many subordinates and must have chosen him specifically. The foreign-looking man who gives him the package says little, and Anden obeys Lan’s instructions to keep the parcel hidden and unopened.

At the Kaul estate, Anden finds Lan in the training hall and gives him the envelope. Anden notices that Lan’s aura feels harsh and unnaturally sharp because of the new jade Lan won from Gam. Lan asks about Anden’s Academy progress and warns him not to be distracted by campus rumors about clan tensions, then begins an impromptu Deflection practice session.

Lan starts encouragingly as Anden practices with darts, pellets, and knives, praising Anden when he manages to redirect a knife back toward Lan. The mood shifts when Lan makes Anden practice offensive Deflection against sand-filled bottles. As Anden tires and struggles, Lan grows severe, snapping that Anden is graduating into a war and must be ready to survive as a Kaul once Academy protections no longer apply.

Lan’s anger frightens Anden, who Perceives a volatile rush of jade-charged emotion in his cousin. Lan abruptly apologizes and admits he has been under pressure from the Mountain, the Royal Council, the Lantern Men, and the possible involvement of Espenia. Lan then surprises Anden by saying Anden has a choice about his future, even if Hilo expects him to become a Fist, but Anden reacts defensively and insists he is not a coward and owes his oaths to the clan.

After Woon interrupts with a phone call from the mayor, Lan leaves. Anden cleans the training hall and, seeing the white envelope in a drawer, gives in to suspicion and opens it. He discovers several small vials of cloudy white liquid and realizes they are SN1, or shine. Lan catches him and is furious, but when Anden fears Lan has the Itches, Lan explains that he does not; instead, Gam’s Channeling during the duel disrupted something near Lan’s heart, making the new jade harder for Lan to carry.

Lan says Dr. Truw’s healing helps but that he cannot rest or stop wearing the jade because No Peak’s allies and enemies are watching for weakness. Lan insists his SN1 use is temporary, arranged secretly through Woon because even the appearance of dependence would be dangerous. He asks Anden to keep the secret, appealing to their family bond, and Anden swears he will, though Anden remains deeply troubled and leaves the estate shaken.