Zoltan has some flashbacks to dark and light times in his past, and then a strange vision, while he wears the Amber Mask in his chamber in the Winged Citadel. When he awakes, he heads into the main hall for breakfast, where he meets up briefly with Born-in-Shame, who points out Herbir.

Zoltan sits down by Herbir to have breakfast, and tries to break the ice by talking about Enos and Pouncer. He eventually gets brave enough to ask a few questions – about his mother, about whether his father would be willing to come to Rephidim or to stay on Paradys. Herbir agrees to go along to Rephidim, though he makes it clear that he does not wish to stay there. At the end of their conversation, Herbir agrees to take Zoltan by the cabin to show him his skill at marksmanship with a crossbow.