Din Kol rides to the Haza estate in a luxurious carriage, pinned between two silent guards and watched by Fayazi Haza and her two Sublimes: an engraver and an axiom. Din feels an unnatural attraction to Fayazi, but the escort and scrutiny make the trip tense and controlled.

Fayazi demands Din question her immediately, so Din begins asking about the day before Kaygi Haza died. Fayazi confirms a large party was held, with 112 attendees out of 146 invited, and promises Din a full list later. She frames the gatherings as vital reaffirmations of fellowship and imperial history, while also implying contempt for Legion and Iudex arrogance.

Din presses for Kaygi’s movements and possible exposure to steam or hot water. Fayazi says Kaygi arrived in a palanquin, was taken to his antechamber, spoke only with important figures (commanders and a few Apoths), and spoke to no Engineers. After the party ended mid-afternoon, Kaygi took his regular steam bath for his joints and then went to bed; Fayazi denies knowing of any tampering beyond routine staff handling.

Din questions security and logistics: Fayazi’s household used plants meant to detect contagion at the gates, and large quantities of mulled sotwine were consumed. When Din asks about anything suspicious, Fayazi insists there was nothing—until her engraver mentions a small carpet fire caused by a popping blackwood-and-silverdust fireplace ember.

The fire occurred at two in the afternoon and created smoke and crowd disruption; Fayazi admits it took about an hour to account for all guests afterward. Fayazi realizes this disruption could have provided the opportunity for someone to plant the poison. As Fayazi probes Din’s background and recent violence, she turns reflective and bleak about imperial systems and obligation, insisting her father understood the Empire “very well” as the carriage arrives.