Brishen visits the office of the Captain-Astromancer, with Inquisitrix Turtle and her assistant Neekto also in attendance. The matter comes up about the damage done to the Old Cemetary by Brishen's renovations. Tahir indicates that reparations are expected, and that they will be exacted in the form of the Temple taking the Embassy's compliment of Savanite slaves, since the Embassy hasn't enough in the way of liquid assets.

Brishen requests that she have a chance to speak alone with the Captain-Astromancer, and is granted it. Brishen makes her case, and talks about her role in the shift of power in Babel, but Tahir challenges her version of the story. At last, Brishen leaves, promising to have the slaves ready, but silently preparing for the worst.