After stealing a large pouch of coins and heading back through Loot, Paedyn spots a crowd gathered in an alley and realizes the man being attacked is the same stranger she robbed minutes earlier. He has already fought off several thieves, but a Silencer emerges from the shadows and begins crippling his power. The scene reminds Paedyn of her father dying while no one helped, so she decides she will not stand by again.

Paedyn sneaks up behind the Silencer and attacks. Because she is an Ordinary, the Silencer cannot smother a power she does not have, and his confusion gives her an opening. As they fight, Paedyn falls into memories of her father training her and of King Edric murdering him in their home. Fueled by grief and rage, she brutally beats the Silencer into submission and finally knocks him unconscious with the hilt of her dagger.

Imperials rush in, but instead of arresting the injured stranger, they kneel before him. Paedyn learns she has saved Prince Kai, the feared future Enforcer known for sensing and wielding others' powers. When Kai approaches, Paedyn tries to slip away, but he catches her, pins her to the wall, and reveals that he knows she stole from him.

Kai thanks Paedyn only cautiously because he is suspicious: he cannot sense any ability in her, and the Silencer could not suppress her either. To protect herself, Paedyn claims she is a weak Mundane Psychic whose power only senses strong emotions and flashes of information. When Kai demands proof, Paedyn studies his injuries, the sand on his shoes, and the missing Imperials she noticed earlier, then pretends to read him. She correctly deduces that he was in the Scorches and secretly banished someone, and that he feels guilt or worry about it.

Paedyn's performance convinces Kai enough to let the matter rest, though he remains intrigued. Their confrontation shifts into sharp, flirtatious banter as Paedyn gives him her name and demands repayment for saving his life. Kai tosses her a coin, calls her something to remember him by, and walks away after admitting she was right about one thing: the ladies do love him.