Elise returns to Rephidim, and goes to the docks on business for Katherine. While there, she witnesses the return of Lord Pink's airship – Lord Pink is quite alive, despite the rumors Elise heard, and he returns in triumph, showing artifacts of the First Ones to the gathered crowd. Elise, feeled with conflicting emotions, pushes away from the celebration, to drown her sorrows in cheap ale at a bar, and accosts a young Eeee.

A couple of days pass, during which time Elise manages to compose herself, and then she goes to visit Lord Pink at his estate, at his invitation. She confesses that she is not happy with her career as an Executor, and would like to reapply for Knighthood. She shares her tale of her involvement with the Seven Sisters, fearing that the "Curse of Barada" might result in unpleasant stories reaching his ears from other sources.