Brishen, at the Ashdod Embassy, is visited by Envoy, and informs her of the arrangements to transfer the Savanite slaves. Their meeting is interrupted by the arrival of Arch-Inquisitrix Esther yod Rahab. Brishen goes down to meet Esther, while Envoy makes her escape. Brishen leads Esther down to the basement, where the Arch-Inquisitrix and her lackeys inspect traces of strange smells … and loose fittings in the wall.

Esther finds a loose block, which, removed, reveals a small chest with a few shekels. Witch-Doctor Qing arrives, giving his analysis of the Embassy – namely, that he detects no evidence of paranormal activity in the recent past. Esther goes back to the "cache", and inspects further … finding a secret passage through the wall! She sends in one of her guards to inspect, and he is assaulted by a crazed fennec in the tunnels. Esther's guards overpower the intruder, and the crazed vixen claims to be none other than Amaranth herself!