After leaving the Colosso, Hadrian walks alone through Meidua as evening falls. The distance from the arena gives him space to question whether Alistair is right to doubt his fitness to rule, since Hadrian cannot stomach the violence and cruelty that seem necessary to noble power.

Hadrian decides not to return to the shuttle or alert Kyra, choosing privacy over caution. As Hadrian walks past the river, shops, and commoners, Hadrian reflects on the gulf between palatine nobles and plebeians, including the physical and social consequences of genetic privilege.

Hadrian wanders into a steep alley near the bluffs and is suddenly struck from behind by a boy on a powered cycle. The attacker, identified by another as Jem, bears a criminal mark for assault. Two more boys on bikes block the lane, and Hadrian tries to surrender according to noble custom while secretly pressing the panic button on his wrist terminal.

The boys reject Hadrian's surrender because they are not palatines and see him as a rich intruder on their turf. Hadrian activates his shield-belt and draws his ceramic knife, but the shield is useless against slow melee attacks. Jem and the others circle and rush Hadrian with a pipe, blackjack, and bat.

Hadrian tries to demand a fair fight, but the gang overwhelms him. Jem breaks Hadrian's wrist, Hadrian briefly fights back with punches and kicks, and Hadrian recovers his knife only to be beaten down again. The boys begin stealing Hadrian's ring and terminal, then realize from the signet that Hadrian is a Marlowe and that they have attacked someone dangerously important.

Hadrian loses consciousness believing he is dead and thinking Crispin will now inherit. The chapter closes with Hadrian's reflection that civilization is an attempt to impose order on chaos, yet even in an imperial city a wrong turn can expose a person to violence and disorder.