Ekur of the cohort Tkalal, a Carryx interrogator-librarian, watches the last captive from the Ayayeh system die while looping concepts, and prepares a report about a claimed “artificial” organism. Before finishing, Ekur is summoned upward through the world-palace. In a bone-colored vessel heavy with pheromones and status, Ekur is escorted into the presence of the regulator-librarian and the Sovran, and begins involuntary bodily changes in response to their environment and attention.

The regulator-librarian informs Ekur that the battle at Ayayeh has ended and the dactyl Ekur served is gone, altering Ekur’s place within the moieties. Ekur is told that a subject species appears biochemically related to the Ayayeh pilot captives, and that Ekur’s future service will involve honoring that species’ keeper-librarian and addressing an incident. Ekur submits as its body continues reshaping toward its new role.

The narrative shifts to Dafyd Alkhor, returned to his quarters after the Carryx purge. Tonner is breaking dishes in grief and fury; Else and Synnia are gone, and Dafyd cannot stop thinking about the dead even as he clings to the one comfort that Jellit is alive. The next morning, the Carryx arrive and order the remaining members of Tonner’s group—Dafyd, Tonner, Jessyn, Rickar, and Campar—to come with them under heavy guard.

They are transported outside for the first time and brought to a vast arena-like hall where thousands of captive humans kneel before a dais. On the dais sits an enormous, elaborately adorned Carryx with two threatening guards, while the human keeper-librarian stands among them. Flower-headed relay creatures amplify Carryx voices in a choral ceremony that the human translators refuse to render, leaving Dafyd’s group unable to understand what is being said.

Dafyd recognizes a deeper truth in the Carryx hierarchy: bodies change with social status, and “essential nature” is enforced physically. When Tonner stands and demands a translator, Dafyd tackles Tonner down to prevent an immediate killing. Dafyd publicly frames Tonner as “young” and, to prove correction and humility, stomps on Tonner’s elbow and breaks it; the guards pause and Tonner is dragged back to the group, alive but injured.

The ceremony continues and the human keeper-librarian is executed on the dais, its head crushed by the enormous Carryx. Back in their quarters, the group sits stunned and drained, tending Tonner’s broken arm. The black-and-red Carryx who presided over the event arrives with Jellit, allowing Jessyn to reunite with her brother. The Carryx introduces itself to Dafyd’s group as Ekur of the cohort Tkalal, newly made keeper-librarian of the human moiety, and tells them their place and responsibilities have changed—then begins by congratulating them on their success.