Thirty

Dafyd learns that Rickar Daumatin, a member of his original group, has died in a failed evacuation pod during a distant battle. During his meeting with the keeper-librarian Ekur-Tkalal, Dafyd discusses the failure of his research teams to meet benchmarks and conveys a request to remove alien guards from the labs, narrowly avoiding a fatal confrontation with the Carryx. The chapter concludes with Dafyd finding solace in conversation with Uuya Tomos about grief, responsibility, and the nature of wisdom.

Dafyd meets with keeper-librarian Ekur-Tkalal in the same cell where he has been receiving reports. The Carryx informs him that Rickar Daumatin died some time ago in an escape pod following a distant battle. Dafyd struggles to process this loss while discussing theological concepts of the human soul with the alien librarian. He then addresses his team's failure to meet research benchmarks, attributing it partly to staffing complications including Tonner Freis's death. When discussing the Soft Lothark and Rak-hund guards, Dafyd carefully frames the request for their removal as information from the research team rather than his own demand, avoiding what he recognizes would be a fatal transgression. Ekur-Tkalal responds subtly, then unexpectedly touches Dafyd's shoulder while stating "There is only one Sovran," marking the moment as significant. The meeting concludes with Dafyd reporting on the babies in lamb sacks, new quarters construction overseen by Bastien Korham, and decreased violence in the human population. Dafyd then travels through the alien-filled corridors to the human habitat where he finds Uuya Tomos working on a major construction project—an open three-story space meant to serve as a school and gathering area with murals of human history. After brief conversation with Korham about the children's heritage, Dafyd draws Tomos aside to discuss his failures and Rickar's death. Tomos explains that the Carryx, unable to comprehend human nature, mistakenly recruited elite individuals who were dependent on others' support. She posits that chaos and exploiting the Carryx's ability to change forms might offer hope. When Dafyd expresses his fear that grief caused him to nearly make a fatal error in his meeting, Tomos shifts focus to wisdom stories—narratives that offer no comfort but acknowledge shared suffering and the necessity of continuing meaningful work despite overwhelming odds. She encourages him to work on the construction project, and they part with renewed understanding.