In a ceremony held at the Temple, the new Captain-Astromancer, Tahir Archelaus the First, makes his first public appearance, accompanied by his slave, Leeta (aka "Fire-Mane") and his brother, Rhys. Amongst the many spectators are Galand, Achimed the Glove, Ambassador Brishen Kara (and her assistant Degarde), and Bambridge (aka the "Wooden Shekel"). Galand converses with Achimed, while Bambridge indicates to Brishen that he may have some information of import. Tahir, meanwhile, gives a speech to the people, and an admonition to turn away from selfish pursuits for the greater good of Rephidim. Bridge Officer Nimiss announces that the case has been closed on the murder of Tahir's predecessor, and that the deceased Arch-Inquisitor Caesar Moffat was the mastermind behind the scheme.
Inside the Temple Ballroom, a party follows the inauguration, during which Tahir and others have a chance to mingle. Envoy arrives, but keeps her distance from most. Melchizedek does not attempt to mingle, and few bother (or dare) to approach him. Brishen approaches Tahir and converses with him, but is then intercepted by her cousin, Secretary of State Bryanna Kara who lets Brishen know that she is leaving town, as her business is done here. Naomi meets a Technopriest by the name of Quinn, and becomes inebriated by a bottle of "Vin du Aelfin", causing an incident that causes her to collide with Envoy and send some hors d'eouvres flying in the direction of Rhys. Galand proves his quick reflexes and sure-handedness by catching the flying food just in time and impresses Rhys by doing so.
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