The explorers find that the supply of food in the tower is dwindling, as apparently the Earth Mage fed his animals by means of magic … and none of the explorers happen to have such talents. At last, the supply caravan arrives, but there is a tense exchange where Lochinvar goes to double-check that the "golem" is switched off, and Lakshmi accuses him of duplicity, and for not trusting her to have done it already. Furthermore, Lakshmi is certain that the supply caravan may pose a threat, and posts Skye back up in the top of the tower, ready to switch on the golem and traps should there be any trouble. Lochinvar overhears this, and when the ship arrives, and Lakshmi sends him out alone to the craft, the Vartan-Hekoye warns the Inquisitor and his entourage.

When the Inquisitor comes off of the ship, accompanied by Fenter and a Life Mage with held spells, Lakshmi is there to face them … and ignores the Inquisitor's question about the whereabouts of Skye. The Inquisitor informs Lakshmi that the Nagai Empire is now at war against the Temple, and that the Khattan Emirate, desiring to remain neutral, wants both sides – Temple and Naga – to depart from the Tower – so that they may continue the exploration of the tower themselves.

Lakshmi at first seems agreeable to the idea of mages coming to help, and reveals that there are now animals in the tower, and that they are short on food supplies. However, she balks at the notion of being asked to leave, and insists on staying, and calls into question the Emir's concern for the animals, since he didn't have the precognition to see that this supply vessel would bring food for all of the newly-discovered creatures. At last, the Inquisitor and the others leave, taking Lochinvar with them, and depart without dropping off any supplies, leaving Lakshmi and Skye alone at the Earth Tower in the middle of the Sea of Sand in the Desert of the Himaat.