In the camp, Janus takes a chance to talk with Envoy about the Palace of the Priest-King, and related matters. Their discussion is interrupted when it appears that Eustace kah Leftomanus has returned … after a fashion, "reborn" as a stone golem in the service of the Priest-King. Eventually, Envoy and Janus manage to defeat the monster, but another golem appears, this one of the slain naga, Raysse. The camp as a whole makes moves to pack things up and prepare to leave once the sun rises (or maybe a bit before). Kaela, however, fears that the hand monuments may have been broken, thus releasing the Priest-King from the barrier. So, Envoy, Janus and Kaela travel to the palace to see for themselves, and encounter once more the ashen golem that Raysse has become. Isstan the naga mind-mage arrives to try a ritual to fight the Priest-King, and Janus finally decides to get clear of the likely fall-out. During Isstan's chanting, Raysse appears again, to be confronted by Envoy and Kaela – the latter proclaiming herself as Princess Emerald-Eyes, and apparently having some power over the golem. The spectre is destroyed, but Isstan's spell fails, leaving Kaela determined to go in and confront the Priest-King once and for all, while Envoy decides to accompany her