Delfina leaves an odd, heavy package outside Prince Conor Aurelia’s apartments and quickly retreats without knocking. Because Conor is known to be in a terrible mood, Delfina wants to avoid being questioned about the delivery or blamed for its contents.

The chapter reveals that Delfina has worked in the Palace since arriving from Detmarch as a young woman. For years, Delfina has secretly carried messages between the city and the Hill for money, building savings for retirement while usually avoiding curiosity about what Delfina transports.

This delivery makes Delfina suspicious because Jerrod Belmerci gave Delfina the package and five crowns, but only winked when Delfina asked whether it came from the Ragpicker King. Worried the heavy parcel might contain something dangerous, Delfina opens it and finds a large, ugly necklace with a note.

The note, addressed to Conor and signed by Prosper Beck, explains that before Sword Catchers existed, enchanted objects protected people in other ways. Prosper identifies the necklace as an amulet capable of preserving its wearer from a fatal dose of poison or a blade to the heart, and Prosper challenges Conor by saying Prosper now believes Conor will do the right thing with such magic.