Hadrian is brought into a cold, sterile Chantry interrogation chamber beneath Borosevo and ordered to translate while staying out of Uvanari’s sight. Uvanari, naked and bound to a cross, recognizes Hadrian’s presence and accuses him of breaking the promise of sanctuary. Hadrian hides that accusation from Inquisitor K. F. Agari and instead translates only what serves the interrogation.

Agari begins by asking whether Uvanari commanded the ship shot down on Emesh and why the Cielcin came. Uvanari gives only name, rank, and ship: Itana Uvanari Ayatomn, Ichakta of the Yad Ga Higatte. When Uvanari refuses to answer further, the cathars tear off its claws one by one, and Hadrian realizes the Chantry cannot understand when he departs from literal translation. This gives Hadrian a narrow chance to guide the exchange.

After seven claws are removed, Uvanari finally says the Cielcin came to pray. Uvanari explains that the Cielcin jumped in blind and did not know humans were on the world. Agari suspects a connection between the Cielcin, the ruins, and other xenobites, while Hadrian fears that Chantry zeal will turn the discovery into violence against the Umandh and the Calagah dig.

Agari asks whether more Cielcin are coming, and Uvanari answers no. When Agari punishes Uvanari anyway by cutting off a fingertip, Hadrian protests that Uvanari answered. Hadrian then shifts the questioning himself, telling Uvanari that he believes it but needs information to protect it. Uvanari confirms that the Cielcin came to the ruins because their gods built them, and says similar ruins existed on the Cielcin homeworld, which Hadrian understands as a major revelation.

Hadrian deliberately withholds that revelation from Agari, telling her only that there will be no further attack. Agari becomes enraged and shocks and strikes Uvanari without gaining more answers. When a cathar checks Uvanari’s face, Uvanari bites off two of the cathar’s fingers and eats them, horrifying Hadrian but also impressing him with Uvanari’s defiance.

Hadrian tries to persuade Agari that Uvanari is telling the truth and suggests isolating and comparing the prisoners’ answers instead of torturing them. Agari answers that Hadrian would make a good priest, echoing an earlier judgment that sickens him, then resumes shocking Uvanari. The chapter ends with Agari ordering Hadrian to ask whom Uvanari serves and where the Cielcin are now.