Livira and Meelan descend the mountain road with Malar. Livira keeps her illicit familiarity with the city to herself, noting war-wounded crowds and growing tension. Seeing many fires beyond the wall, she learns they are sabber campfires; raids have reached the city, mountain passes risk blockade, and rumors say the sabbers are running from something worse.

They stop at Yute’s home, where Salamonda fusses over them. Yute arrives somber, reflecting on the fading pain of his daughter Yolanda’s death, then declares an official duty. He leads them into the city. On the stair-cut descent to the square, talk turns philosophical—nostalgia’s dangers—and Yute nearly stumbles before Livira and Meelan steady him.

In the great hall of the lesser palace, King Oanold presides amid pomp, guards bearing new arrow-sticks, and a booming herald. Lord Algar presents a delegation: Serra Leetar—revealed as Leetar Hosten, Meelan’s sister—is confirmed as a junior diplomat. Algar’s look toward Livira is hostile. An alchemical delegation follows.

Fearing a public humiliation and expulsion, Livira braces herself. Instead, Yute stands, reassures her, and leads her before the throne. He formally presents “Livira Page” for appointment as a junior librarian in service to the library, transforming the expected censure into advancement.