Evar reads a language he did not know he could and is startled when the book addresses him by name and orders him to stop. Touching the book sends waves through him, leaving him unsettled. He follows Clovis through the Narrow Forest of single‑book stacks, keeping the discovery to himself.

As they move through the topple-prone towers, Evar reflects on their ancestors’ unexplained labor and silence within the library. They reach the central clearing around the deep pool, cultivated for food since the Mechanism returned the five children years ago. Mayland’s questions about the pool and their seeds echo in Evar’s mind.

Kerrol greets them, quickly sensing news. Clovis declares, “The plan worked—I killed the Escape.” Evar tries to deflect attention by boasting of a giant fallen tower, but Kerrol notices Evar’s tight grip on a particular volume and presses for details. Evar withdraws toward the Soldier rather than answer.

Evar passes the Assistant’s and Soldier’s inhuman nature in review—their smooth, damaged, ivory-like bodies and the Soldier’s ever-present white sword. The Soldier, usually terse, notes Evar’s new book without comment beyond acknowledgement.

Evar informs the Soldier that Clovis destroyed the Escape. The Soldier immediately resolves to adjust his rounds toward the Mechanism, as escapes are most likely after such a killing. Unnerved by the pool and the earlier voice from the Escape, Evar decides to accompany him. The chapter closes with Evar chasing after the Soldier to stand guard.