After Ortus and his mother escape in Gideon’s shuttle, Gideon sinks into depression in her cell. She neglects training, lives on stolen nutrient paste, and remains shackled by a security cuff until Harrowhark arrives after a week and breaks into the locked room using a bone construct grown from her earring.

Harrowhark orders Gideon to come to the catacomb monument. In the lower crypts, Gideon finds Aiglamene sorting through ancient, decayed weapons while Harrowhark asks what equipment might suit a replacement cavalier. The conversation reveals that Ortus was a poor swordsman whose loss leaves Harrowhark without a usable cavalier for the Emperor’s summons.

When Gideon tries to leave, Harrowhark blocks her and announces that Gideon must act as cavalier primary of the Ninth House. Gideon rejects the idea, refusing to trust Harrowhark, but Harrowhark argues that service at the First House could give Gideon freedom, money, a Cohort commission, and a place in history if Harrowhark becomes a Lyctor.

Aiglamene intervenes on Gideon’s behalf, telling Harrowhark that Gideon must truly be freed if Gideon satisfies Harrowhark’s terms. Aiglamene also explains the practical problem: Gideon is a heavy-infantry swordswoman, not a trained cavalier, and would have to learn the rapier and offhand weapon quickly enough to pass as the Ninth’s cavalier primary.

Harrowhark leaves the door unlocked and tells Gideon to help Aiglamene choose a sword. Alone with Gideon, Aiglamene admits the plan is bad but may be Gideon’s only chance to escape the dying Ninth House. When Gideon asks what happens if Gideon agrees, Aiglamene says they must hurry because Gideon’s training should have begun years earlier.