Before dawn at the Telimus estate, Kadmos changes the bandage on Vis's amputated arm and is surprised by how much the wound has healed in only eight days. Vis says he has been forcing himself to relearn balance and movement, and Kadmos confirms that progress matters because Vis is about to attend the Aurora Columnae and then pursue Governance. Kadmos quietly urges Vis to remain a Telimus if he can, and when Vis bitterly rejects Ulciscor as his father, Kadmos answers with sympathy rather than anger. Vis refuses Kadmos's pain-relieving tea for the ceremony but agrees it may help later with his Governance Placement.

Ulciscor enters in formal dress, has food brought in, and asks Kadmos to check on Lanistia, whose headaches have worsened. Once Kadmos leaves, Ulciscor tries to begin by demanding an account of what happened at the Iudicium. Vis refuses to answer immediately and instead lays down terms: he is present by choice, no longer obeys Ulciscor's orders, and owes Ulciscor nothing.

Ulciscor reacts with anger and reminds Vis that he gave him status and a powerful family name. Vis explodes, knocking his cup to the floor and shouting that Ulciscor sent him to die in the Labyrinth, chose his dead brother's reputation over Vis's life, cost Vis his arm, and helped set in motion the decisions that ended with Vis's friend dead. After forcing that truth into the open, Vis regains control and says he will still share what he learned because withholding it would be petty, but any future cooperation must be an alliance between equals rather than command and obedience.

Ulciscor studies Vis and recognizes that Vis is no longer dependent on him in the old way. Vis's fame and new political path mean Ulciscor cannot simply control or discard him, and Ulciscor finally gives a curt, reluctant nod. That moment marks a real shift in their relationship, with Vis asserting independence and Ulciscor accepting reduced authority.

Lanistia then enters, elegantly dressed but visibly unwell. She stops Vis from embracing her, dismisses concern about her severe headaches, and insists they leave for the ceremony rather than argue. Ulciscor says Vis can explain the Iudicium on the way, and Lanistia leads them out into the waking streets of Caten toward the Aurora Columnae.