On Saint Aelfric's Day, Brother Diaz rides through the Holy City on his way to an audience with the Pope, but he is already running late. Diaz prides himself on punctuality and had left hours early, expecting time to admire the Celestial Palace, yet the city is so crowded with pilgrims, traders, penitents, clergy, beggars, and prostitutes that his carriage barely moves.

As the carriage crawls forward, Diaz grows increasingly agitated. The driver explains that Saint Aelfric's relics are being displayed because they are said to cure gout, which has drawn huge crowds into every street. Midday bells begin ringing across the city, worsening the sense of frenzy as churches compete for worshippers and donations.

Diaz's frustration deepens because this papal audience represents the reward for all his scheming and ambition at his monastery. He reflects on the efforts he made to outmaneuver his brothers and protect the abbot from scandal, and he fears all of that work will come to nothing if he misses this chance. While trapped in a filthy square, Diaz watches children gleefully burn straw effigies of elves and is disturbed by the cruelty in their excitement.

Trying to force progress, Diaz offers the driver double payment if he can reach the Celestial Palace on time, but the driver refuses to promise anything in the Holy City. Desperate, Diaz retreats into the carriage, near tears, and clutches a silver vial associated with Blessed Saint Beatrix, praying for help in reaching his audience.

Diaz immediately regrets swearing during the prayer and begins making penance, but before he can finish, something slams onto the roof of the carriage. The impact jolts the vehicle violently and throws Diaz forward, smashing his mouth against the seat and abruptly ending the chapter on a note of chaos and danger.