Kaul Lan, the new Pillar of No Peak, lies awake in the Kaul estate, troubled by recurring insomnia and by the danger that even a minor weakness could damage his authority. He goes into the garden to calm himself through Perception, reflecting on his Green Bone training, until Yun Dorupon, the clan’s Weather Man and longtime family advisor, interrupts him.

Doru raises the pending Kekon Jade Alliance debate over increasing jade exports to foreign powers. Lan resists consulting his grandfather, Kaul Seningtun, because Lan wants the clan to understand that he now bears sole responsibility as Pillar. Lan tells Doru that the Espenians ask too much and that Kekon risks losing its jade to foreign military powers.

Hilo arrives with Maik Kehn, Maik Tar, and the two beaten teenage thieves from the failed theft of Shon Ju’s jade. Under pressure, the Abukei boy tells Lan that Three-Fingered Gee’s raw jade business has been taken over by a foreign-dressed, jade-immune carver who speaks Kekonese fluently and operates through several districts. Lan pities the boys but warns them that jade will kill people like them, then releases them despite Hilo’s belief that the more jade-obsessed boy should be killed before becoming a future threat.

Hilo identifies the new carver as likely Tem Ben, a stone-eye member of the Mountain clan’s Tem family, and argues that Tem Ben’s return must have Ayt Mada’s approval. Hilo connects the carver’s activity to reports that Mountain Fingers are pressuring No Peak’s Lantern Men in the Armpit. Doru urges caution, saying Hilo is leaping to conclusions and warning against spilling blood before the Mountain clan has killed any No Peak people.

Lan weighs Hilo’s street instincts against Doru’s restraint and chooses a middle course. Lan orders Hilo to investigate whether the Ayts are backing Tem Ben and to send Fists into the Armpit only to reassure and protect Lantern Men, not to attack or retaliate. Hilo accepts reluctantly but warns that No Peak can no longer rely on Kaul Sen’s reputation and that Lan must visibly assert himself as Pillar.

After Hilo leaves and Doru privately remarks that Hilo must be kept on a short leash, Lan studies the Kaul house and sees his grandfather still awake. Acknowledging that Hilo is right about the need to wield power more firmly, Lan enters the house and climbs the stairs to handle a difficult decision.