While writing a letter to his sister, Galang catches some Savanites and a Kattha heading into the hedge maze. He follows and hears someone playing music. As he nears the center of the maze he finds Lilith, the cat who helped Galand with his 'Ashes' disguise playing to some violent plants. One of them wounds her shoulder but she finishes her song and leaves, bumping into the spotted Khatta. Galand takes Lilith to his home and treats her shoulder. Later Rhys and Dar show up, the latter dressed in bandages for some reason.

Rhys eventually leaves to visit Faraon and Dar remains. When asked about his injuries, Dar replies that Galand is responsible for them and he was beaten up as an 'example' to Tahir to make sure that the Astromancer stays out of Rhys' business. Angered, Galand determines himself to put a stop to Faraon's manipulations before it's too late.