After a jouncy and hectic ride on Eadwig, Tasha returns to the Hydron estate to find Layth already out and doing his fighting practice. He's very surprised when Tasha presents him with a bronze Olympian sword from the Temple of Abaddon as a gift.

Layth starts teaching Tasha about basic tactics in hand-to-hand fighting, the first rule being 'you are never unarmed' and that fists and legs and arms are weapons. He asks Tasha to point out where she would try to attack him, then explains the problems with doing so. When asked where she thinks he would attack her, she gives many of the same answers. Layth explains the dangers of attacking those points as well, and then goes on to show where he would attack: Tasha's forearm. Fighting to disarm the opponent is safer than trying to hurt their body, is the lesson.

They also talk of more personal things while preparing to train.