Hilo sees that No Peak gained little from the Armpit agreement: the Mountain stopped attacking No Peak holdings there but kept profitable strongholds south of Patriot Street. Meanwhile, trouble shifts to the Docks, supposedly secure No Peak territory, where street gangs are stealing imported luxury goods. When Kehn catches thieves who admit a jade-wearing stranger gave them schedules and manifests, Hilo concludes the Mountain is using jadeless criminals to harass No Peak and orders Kehn to kill two thieves and release the talkative one as a message.

Hilo visits Tar in the hospital, where Tar is recovering from severe gunshot wounds after surgery, transfusions, and therapeutic Channeling by Dr. Truw. Tar is impatient to leave and bitter about missing the action, but Hilo avoids clan business and tells Tar that Lan has approved Hilo’s marriage to Wen. Tar assures Hilo his loyalty does not depend on the marriage.

The chapter then shifts to Hilo’s recent conversation with Wen. After the attempt on Hilo’s life, Wen agrees to move onto the Kaul estate because she recognizes that enemies might use her to hurt him. Hilo is eager to celebrate their engagement and plan a wedding, but Wen focuses on the political reality: the Mountain wants Hilo dead because without him Lan would have no comparable wartime Horn.

Wen asks to work for No Peak once she becomes part of the family, arguing that stone-eyes can be useful because they move unnoticed and can handle jade without giving off an aura. Hilo rejects the idea sharply, saying the coming war is between Green Bones and that he will not use Wen as the Mountain uses Tem Ben. His fear for Wen’s safety turns into anger, and although he softens afterward and suggests safer ambitions for her, he remains immovable.

Hilo reflects that he needs to speak with Shae and wishes the Kaul siblings would stand together more firmly for No Peak. With war increasingly likely, Hilo strengthens defenses, promotes senior Fingers to Fists, reassures Lantern Men, orders harsher responses to Docks thieves, and studies Gont’s organization. He recognizes that No Peak’s position is strategically vulnerable and that the Mountain has more seasoned fighters, leaving Hilo exhausted by the demands of being Horn.