Elise, disguised as a Gallah by the name of "Missy", is in Babel, posing as a guard for a merchant's wares. She is approached in private by Fyiara, Dean of Chaos, and given a choice that all members of the mission are being given: she is given a couple of vials, and the contents are going to affect her part in Fyiara's ritual to attempt to positively affect the chances of the mission succeeding. If Elise takes one vial, she will help increase the chances of the mission succeeding … but possibly at risk to her own life. If she takes the other, she chooses to protect herself from the effects of the ritual, theoretically increasing her own chance of survival. Her choice is to be secret, as it is with all other members of the group asked to choose.

Elise also hears some rumors from the merchant about goings-on in Babel, including the attack on the Temple of Inala, and Wynona "getting religion" in the Temple of Rephath.