- Katsa brings Po to Raffin's workrooms, where Raffin and his loyal friend and research assistant, Bann, are tending to Tealiff and concocting various potions and remedies.
- There's one such secret passage in Raffin's workrooms. It leads to a small musty room, which is where they're keeping Tealiff.
- Raffin is amused by Katsa and Po's torn clothes, bruised and muddied faces, etc., and remarks that it must have been a friendly fight if they're coming to him together.
- They take Po to his grandfather, who's awake now, and they have a nice reunion.
- Tealiff thanks Katsa for saving his life. She's humble about it, saying Raffin and his medicines deserve all the credit.
- Katsa returns to her rooms, bathes, and prepares for the Council meeting.
- Raffin and Po arrive first, followed by Oll, Giddon, and twelve other Council members along with Lord Davit.
- Davit shares information that exclude Kings Thigpen and Drowden (of Estill and Nander) from suspicion concerning Prince Tealiff's kidnapping—that leaves just King Birn of Wester under scrutiny from the Council.
- After the meeting, Po says he'd like to stay in Randa's court until his grandfather is better, but he needs an excuse to be there so it won't look suspicious. After all, no one else knows Tealiff is there, and Po is supposed to be searching for him.
- They decide that Po will say he's using Randa's court as a base camp while he investigates other kingdoms. This will seem valid for two reasons: one, it's centrally located; and two, he can train with Katsa while he's there, which people will see as a good reason for him to hang around.
- While they're talking, Po has cause to touch Katsa's face (tracing a scratch one of his rings made during their scuffle), and Katsa finds herself somewhat rattled. One thing's for certain: this guy with the cat-like eyes has a strange effect on her.
- Katsa, not one to acknowledge—or even recognize—romantic potential, vows to "knock those eyes out of his face the next time they fought" (9.131). Charming.