Gilbertus Albans rides beside Manford Torondo in a victory parade through the muddy capital of Lampadas, celebrating the Butlerians' successes at the Thonaris shipyards and in the Landsraad. The crowds cheer both men as heroes, but Gilbertus privately sees these triumphs as Pyrrhic. He has restored Manford's trust by proving himself no machine sympathizer, yet he feels he has failed Erasmus and regrets having fought his former student Draigo Roget in a real battle.

As Gilbertus observes Lampadas, he contrasts the city's medieval conditions, sewage, and chaotic weather with what technology could have improved. His unease deepens because Erasmus remains hidden and vulnerable in his absence. Gilbertus worries that if he dies, no one will be able to protect or manage the independent robot's powerful mind.

Manford notices Gilbertus's troubled manner and urges him to remain on Lampadas to help expand the Butlerian movement, suggesting that someone else can run the Mentat school. Gilbertus declines by citing the arrival of an important new student, Anna Corrino. Manford approves of Anna being trained by Gilbertus and reveals that he is pleased to keep the Emperor's sister close so he can “ensure her safety,” making Gilbertus suspect that Manford views Anna partly as a hostage.

After enduring a public reception where he is treated like a political hero, Gilbertus goes quietly to the spaceport to receive Anna. She arrives in the care of two palace guards, dazed, distracted, and dressed far younger than her age. The guards state that Prince Roderick Corrino commands Gilbertus to provide every possible remedy for her condition.

Gilbertus listens to Anna's constant muttering and realizes she is reciting the names of Landsraad representatives and proxies from thousands of Imperial worlds. He recognizes that her extraordinary recall resembles Mentat training, though she does not respond directly to him. The guards warn that Anna is agitated, clever, and must not be allowed to escape, while Gilbertus concludes that her abilities may make her a promising, if difficult, student—and that Erasmus would find her fascinating.