In Goddard’s estate, Xenocrates tells Rowan that from now on, the use of fire will be banned for MidMerica scythes (the assumption being that Goddard and his scythes lost control of the blaze). Xenocrates tells Rowan that he will take his final test that night, before the start of the next day’s conclave. He also says there is going to be an investigation into the deaths of Rand, Chomsky, and Goddard. Goddard’s skeleton is missing its skull, and there is no trace of his ring.

Esme enters. Rowan asks if Xenocrates would like to be in charge of returning her to her mother, and she winks at the High Blade. Before he leaves, Xenocrates tells Rowan that perhaps there is no need for an investigation after all, to which Rowan replies, “Let the dead be dead” (404).

Prometheus writes, “[T]o achieve [the status of scythe] should cut one’s soul to the very core, so that no scythe will ever forget the cost of the ring they bear. Of course, to those on the outside, our rite of passage might seem unthinkably cruel” (405).