While Hadrian packs for his forced departure to Vesperad, unscheduled bells summon the castle to a special assembly. Fearing the announcement may concern Crispin’s elevation or Hadrian’s own exile, Hadrian hides Gibson’s book, The King with Ten Thousand Eyes, in his footlocker and slips into the plaza through a side route rather than appearing on the balcony.

Lord Alistair addresses the assembled household and claims a traitor tried to have Hadrian kidnapped and sold to Extrasolarians. A whipping post has been set up below the keep, and guards drag out Gibson in chains. Hadrian tries to protest, but Gibson silently warns Hadrian not to interfere, then publicly confesses to the false charge. Hadrian realizes Gibson is taking the blame for Hadrian’s escape plans so Alistair will not investigate Hadrian too closely.

Alistair banishes Gibson from Meidua and all of Delos rather than executing him, using Gibson’s long service as the stated reason for mercy. Eusebia demands Gibson’s death, but Alistair proceeds with a staged punishment: Sir Felix appears in Chantry colors with a blindfolded cathar, who mutilates Gibson’s nose to mark him as a criminal. Sir Felix then lashes Gibson fifteen times while Hadrian is restrained and forced to watch.

After the crowd disperses, Hadrian demands an explanation. Alistair admits the punishment had to fall on Gibson because Hadrian could not be publicly blamed. Alistair says he knows Hadrian asked Gibson for a way to reach an athenaeum and warns Hadrian that he will never be a scholiast. When Hadrian curses him, Alistair punches Hadrian and threatens to kill Gibson if Hadrian tries anything similar again.

Hadrian is taken back to his chambers, where grief hardens into quiet rage. He then notices that his coat has been moved and searches his footlocker. Gibson’s book, which contained the hidden letter, has been stolen, leaving Hadrian terrified and enraged that his remaining escape route may have been exposed.