Lin rises early, worried that Exilarch Benjudah is already in the Sault and that she has little time to help Mariam. At the Black Mansion, Lin finds Andreyen, Kel, Ji-An, Jerrod, and an enraged Merren arguing because Merren’s attempt to poison Artal Gremont at the previous night’s party failed despite a lethal dose of aconite.

After Ji-An tells Lin that Gremont raped Merren’s sister Alys and caused Merren’s father’s imprisonment, Lin realizes why Merren is desperate to kill him. Lin explains that Gremont wears an old protective amulet, powerful enough to ward off danger rather than only poison. Jerrod suggests stealing it, but Andreyen stops them, warning that old amulets can turn attacks back on attackers, and promises to investigate the amulet’s origin instead.

Andreyen redirects the group toward the Shining Gallery massacre, suggesting Gremont may be connected because Artal benefited from his father’s death by inheriting and ending his exile. Jerrod notes that Magali Berthe will be at the Ellsday Arena croc fights, giving Kel a chance to speak with her. Kel then leaves to prepare to receive Princess Anjelica of Kutani in Conor’s place.

Two days later, Kel rides through celebrating crowds disguised as Conor, wearing the circlet and talisman. At the Royal Docks, Kurame Iruvai, Anjelica’s brother and a member of the Bloodguard, announces that the dock is too small. Kel orders the Arrow Squadron to move it, and Anjelica’s grand procession begins: courtiers, Bloodguard, and finally Anjelica herself riding a decorated elephant. Kel is struck by her beauty and notices her anxiety as she looks for possible danger, but no attack comes; she bows to the people, who shower the air with flowers, then has the elephant kneel so Kel can join her.

Later, Lin reads at the Black Mansion before making medical rounds. Andreyen notices her fear of Benjudah’s test and urges her to stop thinking of failure and concentrate on actually passing, because she can touch magic. Lin then treats Zofia Kovati, an elderly former pirate with a failing heart, and gives her medicine and talismans while encouraging her to enjoy the celebrations. On the way to her next patient, Lin is stopped by Legate Jolivet in a Palace carriage; despite Lin’s protest that she is on rounds, Jolivet summons her to the Palace, and Lin reluctantly gets in after insisting she must return to the Sault before dark.