Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence and death.

Darrow, sore from his battle wounds, and Cassius wander Harmonia, the old home of Lorn au Arcos. Darrow goes into Lorn’s room, looking at the photographs on the wall. He and Cassius shave their beards.

Darrow prays to Lorn, apologizing for Alexandar’s death, and Cassius reveals that Sevro told him about Alexandar. He also shares some of the stories he heard about Darrow—“That time you had Pax whip you at the Institute? […] Then eight years later some pirate in an asteroid cantina tells me about it in the middle of an unbidden lecture on leadership” (581). Darrow compliments Cassius’s growing selflessness.

Lyria calls, and Cassius talks about changing her callsign from “Truffle Pig” to “Eaglet One.” Darrow notes Cassius’s immaturity around her: “He literally acts like he’s twelve around her” (582).

Volga comes to Darrow, complaining that the Volk want her as queen. He tells Volga that she has the right characteristics to be a good leader to the Volk. He suggests that the Republic will grant the Volk amnesty for their recent crimes if they help fight on Mars.