- Sadima wanders around the packed square, and finally sees a woman in a black robe and decides to talk to her. The woman introduces herself as Maude Truthteller, and she talks about how Franklin and Somiss live nearby.
- Maude leads Sadima to their place, urging her to flirt with Somiss because apparently he's too serious.
- Sadima goes inside the multi-story building, finds the green door as instructed, and knocks. Franklin opens the door but doesn't recognize her at first. Sadima reminds him that they'd met three years ago, and he helped save her goat.
- Somiss is very cold at first, saying only to call him again when his scheduled appointment arrives; Franklin says that it will take time to convince Somiss to keep her around.
- Sadima offers to sleep on the floor, and she begins to clean the kitchen while Somiss talks to a man who's paid to bring him news of the royal family (which is also his family).