With five minutes before Gideon's shuttle arrives, Harrowhark Nonagesimus appears at the drillshaft with Crux, Aiglamene, and several Ninth House sisters. Harrow challenges Gideon's escape plan, but Gideon explains that she has forged release papers and is prepared to expose damaging Ninth House secrets if Harrow tries to have the Cohort return her.

Harrow dismisses the sisters and admits Gideon has forced an impasse. When appeals to duty fail, Harrow produces an authentic Cohort commission that would make Gideon a second lieutenant and shorten the terms of her bondage. Gideon recognizes that the offer is exactly what she wants but suspects a trap, especially when Harrow's price is Gideon's attendance at the muster in Drearburh.

Gideon refuses the offer until Harrow, furious, strips off her bone ornaments and proposes a duel. Harrow promises that Gideon will receive the commission whether she wins or loses; victory only determines whether Gideon leaves immediately or first attends the muster. Harrow signs the document in blood under her mother's name, and Gideon accepts, having Crux and Aiglamene witness the terms.

Gideon believes Harrow has disarmed herself as a necromancer, but Harrow reveals the trick: her injured hands are dirty from burying bones throughout the drillshaft overnight. As Gideon charges, skeletons burst from the ground in every direction. Harrow uses the hidden bones to overwhelm Gideon with constructs, keeping herself out of reach while Gideon is dragged down.

Harrow wins the duel by pinning Gideon to the ground and kicking her in the face while the shuttle lands nearby. Crux declares the fight fair, and Harrow orders Aiglamene to make the pilot wait for an hour. With Gideon beaten and the escape delayed, Harrow orders Crux to take Gideon down to the sanctuary for the muster.