Valka bursts into the bottled garden where Hadrian is training for his duel and angrily confronts Hadrian for defending her honor without permission. Hadrian, confined to Sunglass Hall after challenging Gilliam, introduces Switch to Valka and tries to explain himself, but Valka condemns Imperial dueling customs and resents being made the object of Hadrian's protection.

Hadrian reveals to Valka that his true name is Hadrian Marlowe and that Count Mataro had ordered him to conceal his identity. Valka observes that this secrecy is effectively over. Hadrian apologizes, admitting that punching Gilliam was not purely noble, while Switch awkwardly explains his own name and connection to Hadrian from the coliseum.

Valka asks whether Hadrian can drop the challenge, but Hadrian explains that a formal duel cannot legally be withdrawn. Hadrian also tells Valka that Hadrian's father sold him to the Chantry, that Hadrian was forced into the coliseum to survive, and that Hadrian is not as free as Valka assumes. Valka warns that even victory will make enemies, and Hadrian admits he acted because Gilliam called Valka a witch.

After Valka leaves, Switch silently urges Hadrian to follow her. In a colonnade, Hadrian catches up and offers a fuller apology, acknowledging that Valka was right: Gilliam was Valka's problem, and Hadrian had no right to make the confrontation about her. Valka explains that she is not under Chantry suspicion for the Umandh uprising, because otherwise she would already be imprisoned, and says Hadrian's interference only kept attention on the accusation.

Hadrian and Valka argue over whether violence solves problems. Hadrian insists that formal dueling is not murder and that someone with rank must stand against people like Gilliam, while Valka calls the custom barbaric and presses Hadrian to explain who he really is. Hadrian gives Valka an abridged account of fleeing Delos, being stranded and robbed on Emesh, fighting in the coliseum to eat, and living as a prisoner under Count Mataro's protection.

Valka finally uses Hadrian's first name and tells Hadrian that Hadrian has made the duel about her, placing possible bloodshed on her conscience. Hadrian accepts responsibility, promises that no one has to die, and swears he will seek only first blood. When Hadrian asks Valka to forgive him and says he does not want to kill anyone, Valka softens enough to tell Hadrian to call her Valka.