In Ginura, the water trials continue even in the middle of a fierce storm. Tané aces the archery and firearms trials easily enough, progressing in the competition. Tané writes to Susa that unlike the high-born apprentices, she cannot afford to rest or party between trial days.

Back in Cape Hisan, Niclays is imprisoned in a dark room for several days before being taken to the governor for questioning. Under threat of torture, Niclays tells the governor a woman forced him to house Sulyard. The guards drag in a beaten-up Susa, whom Niclays identifies. However, to protect Truyde, he tells the governor he knows nothing about Sulyard’s intentions in Seiiki. Niclays’s caution turns out to be futile since Sulyard is already in the jailhouse. Susa is taken away to be tortured and jailed; Niclays is disgusted with his own weakness. The governor tells Niclays he will be placed under house arrest in Ginura. Niclays requests to meet Sulyard once so that he can convince the young man to confess the reasons for his trespassing.

Onren, Tané, and Turosa make it past the trial of knives to the trial of the pearl, where the remaining 26 contenders must dive into a cold lake to find eight “dancing” pearls, considered symbols of Seiikinese history and tradition.