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;Characters
{{columns|
*[[Kenton]] (Point of View)
*[[Khrissalla]] (Point of View)
*High [[Lady Judge]] [[Heelis]]
*[[Lord Merchant]] [[Vey]]
* [[Lord Farmer]] [[Gennel]] ▼* [[Lord General]] [[Raagent]] ▼*[[Lord Admiral]] [[Delius]]
*[[Lord Artisan]] [[Rite]]
*[[Lord Mason|Lady Mason]]
*[[Baon]]
*[[Allstren Cynder]]
*[[Jon Acron]]
*[[KhrissallaLoaten]]
*[[Ais]]
*[[Nilto]]
*[[Dirin]]
*[[Drile]]
*[[ SkathanDirin]] ( mentionedappearance only) ▼*[[Heelis]]
*[[Torkel]]
*[[Loaten]]
*[[Vey]]
*[[Sharezan]] (mentioned only) ▼*[[Gevalden]] (mentioned only) ▼▲*[[Skathan]] (mentioned only)
*[[Praxton]] (mentioned only)
*[[Hoid]] (appearance only)
▲*[[ SharezanSkathan]] (mentioned only)
▲*[[Gevalden]] (mentioned only)
*[[Wilheln]] (mentioned only)
}}
Kenton argues his case before the Taishin Council, reminding them to mourn those who have died and asking to be allowed time to change the Diem for the good of Lossand. The Taishin ignore his pleas and hold the dissolution vote—voting six-to-one to dissolve the Diem. Kenton invokes an obscure combination of rules to have the vote declared void on the basis that at the death of the Lord Mastrell, he became the Acting Lord Mastrell as the highest ranked remaining Sand Master, and any council vote that would remove a Taisha from service requires two weeks' prior notification. High Judge Heelis corroborates the law, and informs Acting Lord Mastrell Kenton that he is notified and that to overturn the prelimary descision he will need a unanimous vote to retain the Diem in two weeks.
At the site of the raid that was conducted earlier, Ais discovers a man kept prisoner behind a trap door. The man, Torkel, was an advisor to the Lord Merchant, who went missing last year. Torkel was imprisoned and tortured after trying to go back on an agreement with Sharezan. Ais swears she will catch him, naming him by the alias Nilto.
:''Lonzare''
Elsewhere[[N'Teese]] in Kezare,leads Khriss and her group of Darksiders are led by a guide to the[[Lonzare]]—the Darkside Quarter. The existence of this part of the city surprises the group, as the [[Dynasty]] apparently doesn't want people to know that there is traffic between Dayside and Darkside. They pay their guide to lead them to someone in charge, who turns out to be a Darksider named [[Loaten]], a man branded a traitor to the Dynasty who was supposedly executed for attempting to murder Emperor Skathan. Loaten was expecting Khriss's arrival and seems to know a great many things, but he does not answer many of Khriss's questions concerning her fiance and the "sand mages" he sought. LoatenKhriss revealscalls thathim out as having met [[Gevin]], since he used the guidenickname instead of his given name, Gevalden. Laoten admits to having met with Gevin and [[Wilheln]] before Gevin was shot by Dynastic assassins. Loaten reveals that N'Teese, works for him and asks her to staycontinue to work with Khriss. At the end of the meeting, [[Nilto]], the Lord Beggar enters the room with his face wrapped and isorders revealedLaoten to beget therid Lordof Beggar,"that havingwoman." powerLaoten similarexplains that Nilto is an unofficial Taisha due to onehis ofinfluence among the Taishin.lower Heclasses, ordersand Loatenthat he asks for her to sendleave Khrissfor awaynow. As Khriss exits the room, Baon recognizes Loaten and draws his gun before Khriss orders him to stand down. The guards are revealed to also carry guns.
:''The Hall''
At the Taishin Meeting Hall, the council explains that the Diem has been a drain on tax money. The sand masters are seen as arrogant and unproductive, and some feel their powers are dangerous and unholy. All but one member votes to dissolve the Diem. However, Kenton successfully argues that the results most be declared void as he, being the acting Lord Mastrell, was not informed of the meeting. The Lady Judge Heelis acquiesces, but declares that another vote will be held in two weeks' time and that a unanimous vote will be required to overturn the previous decision. In private, afterwards, Lady Heelis warns and encourages Kenton.
Judge Heelis explains that she cannot allow personal preference to affect the way she handles offical business. She explains that the sand masters are seen as arrogant and unproductive, and are overloaded with debt. She tells Kenton that to win the Hall's vote he will have to unify leadership of the Diem, resolve the Diem's debts, and restore the nation's faith in sand mastery.
:''The Diem''
Back at the Diem, Drile contends for the loyalty of select Acolents. After rejecting Kenton's authority on the basis of his greater strength, Kenton reveals his newfound powers. Drile claims Kenton betrayed the Diem and the two begin to fight.
Drile contends for the loyalty of select Acolents and is apportioning the now-vacant rooms to his followers. After rejecting Kenton's authority on the basis of his greater strength, Drile attempts to humiliate Kenton by "suggesting" a more private conversation in the Lord Mastrell's quarters (which he assums Kenton cannot reach with one ribbon). Kenton reveals his newfound powers and follows him to the third floor. Drile claims Kenton betrayed the Diem and Kenton provokes Drile into attacking, against Diem Law, in full view of the remaining Diem. Underestimated, Kenton manages to knock Drile out of the air.
{{anchor|Chapter 6}}
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