Brishen, recently arrived in the City of Hands, runs into a strange Savanite painter, and then finds Pathfinder and her family – quite safe and well, after being brought here by the contacts of the Wooden Shekel, with Envoy's help.

Jynx arrives, with Last-Daughter, and introductions and explanations are made. Jynx learns that the Priest-Queen has been having some difficulties with the Twelve-times-Twelve, and he decides to go to the palace to see what can be done.

There, Brishen, Jynx and Last-Daughter witness the Priest-Queen reprimanding her assembled mages. Priest-Queen Third-Vision dismisses the powerful mages in order to see the returned hero and heroine, and to be introduced to Last-Daughter. Jynx and Brishen relate their adventure, but carefully leave out details of just what happened to the Artifact of Calderas, leaving open the (erroneous) implication that it has in fact been destroyed.

Through the course of conversation, Third-Vision reveals that she has been having a conflict of wills with the Twelve-times-Twelve, and a controversy has arisen over just what religion the Priest-Queen is to represent. Furthermore, Third-Vision's sister, Long-Lope (aka Zorah) has been abducted, and is being held prisoner in the Nagai Empire, under charges of leading a terrorist attack. It has been indicated to the Priest-Queen that Zorah will be executed unless the leader of the City of Hands turns herself over to the Emperor-Potentate. Third-Vision indicates that the Wooden Shekel has gone to free her sister … but that no word has yet been heard back from him.