With the Guardians intent on killing them, Alabaster and Syen have no choice but to remain on Meov. To Syen’s irritation, the idea of remaining in exile pleases Alabaster, and the two argue before she’s forced to concede that Alabaster is right about life in Sanze: “He’s made [his point]. Not that she hadn’t known it before: that she is a slave” (348).

Secretly, Syen has another reason for being uncomfortable in Meov: She’s attracted to a charismatic orogene named Innon, who serves as the comm’s second in command and captains raids on coastal communities. He also spends much of his free time flirting with both Syen and Alabaster, which confuses her.

The situation comes to a head while Innon is regaling the town with stories of his latest voyage. Alabaster and Syen discuss Innon, and Syen goads Alabaster into admitting he desires him. Hurt, Alabaster returns home, where Syen seeks him out and apologizes, telling him she’ll step aside: In fact, she’ll even fetch him on Alabaster’s behalf. Alabaster thanks her, saying he knows he himself ought to leave Innon to her, but that he’s been lonely for a long time.

Syen finds Innon, and the two tacitly admit their feelings for one another.