Matteo demonstrates the five Gold form dances, but Darrow outstrips him, even performing them blindfolded. The Polemides, a war dance akin to his illegal Reaping Dance, comes most naturally. Matteo, unsettled by Darrow’s instinctive skill, confronts him about his past and warns that if the Society uncovers him, torture and the slaughter of allies and family will follow. Darrow affirms he is a Red from Lykos and refuses to lie to Reds.

Researching later, Darrow learns Polemides means “child of war” and watches holos of Golds fighting with lethal grace. The display of razors and coordinated slaughter frightens him and makes his mission feel impossible. He sleeps uneasily, clinging to tokens of Eo and home, aware of growing fear.

At breakfast, Dancer reports their hackers have altered the Board of Quality Control’s records to list him as Darrow au Andromedus, noting the name will raise eyebrows. Darrow answers with bravado about acing the test, and Dancer wryly observes he sounds like a Gold.

The next day, Matteo takes Darrow to the stables of Ishtar near Yorkton for riding practice, a gentleman’s skill he lacks. Intimidated by horses, he’s given a pony and rides poorly; when the pony bolts, he dismounts and is mocked by a long-haired Gold girl who calls him “Pixie” before riding away, underlining his inexperience and the social world he must master.