In the grand plaza, a ’stick blast precedes a lone sabber bursting into the square. Livira freezes, reliving the Dust, while Meelan steps between her and the charging attacker. A soldier’s shot smashes the sabber down at Livira’s feet; she lifts its fallen sword to finish it but hesitates at the creature’s intelligent gaze before soldiers end it with another blast.

Shaken, Livira and Meelan reach Yute’s house where Salamonda tends Meelan’s head wound and steadies Livira with chai. Livira confronts Yute, blaming his “holding back” of knowledge for human vulnerability. Yute counters that unchecked weapons have killed more humans than sabbers and asks, “It’s a question of what I’m holding us back from.” Livira leaves burdened by guilt yet resolved to obtain weapons without Yute’s help.

Over three years in white, Livira navigates ruthless library politics, reads voraciously, and fails to reach the Exchange. She flirts with Arpix, briefly explores a relationship with Meelan without returning his depth of feeling, and secures posts for Neera and Katrin. Researching the Kensan and Helfac Indexes, she studies guides like the Raven and finds censored notes on a supreme guide, hinting at a name beginning with V or W and “red in tooth and claw,” recalling the claw she gave Evar. Her longing for Evar and the Exchange persists.

Yamala remains unseen; requests for access are rebuffed, and rumors of harsh discipline and deadly politics circulate. With sabber raids now armed by stolen technology, Livira rejects Yute’s broader “fire-limit” strategy, while accepting his advice not to get caught. Arpix discovers references to a work said to open the Exchange—The Forest Between by Celyn Lewis—though he doubts Yamala’s rooms hold it. Livira decides to act alone.

She picks the lock to Yamala’s bright, exposed suite, slipping into a silent meeting chamber with a round table and four doors. Crossing to the far door in stolen trainee robes, Livira reaches for the handle—only for the door to begin opening, catching her mid-intrusion.