Thirty-One

Rickar experiences a moment of emotional relief after an intimate encounter with Dennia, then sits with Synnia who is struggling with grief and anger over Nöl's death. Meanwhile, Jellit rejects Dafyd's attempt to convince him to abandon the rebellion plan, and the swarm-controlled Else manipulates Dafyd into agreeing to betray the plan to the librarian. Dafyd grapples with his impossible choice while Tonner makes a breakthrough discovery about feeding the mock turtle.

Rickar reflects on his unexpected joy with Dennia, recognizing that even in captivity, life and human connection remain possible. He finds Synnia sitting alone in the hallway, struggling with the trauma of losing Nöl and unable to move past her hatred of the Carryx despite trying to justify helping with the work. She reveals Tonner was discussing food for the mock turtle with Jessyn, which she couldn't bear to hear. Rickar sits with her in their comfortable shared silence. Jellit is approached by Dafyd, who attempts to convince him to abandon or delay the weapons rebellion plan out of concern for Jessyn's safety. Jellit refuses vehemently, declaring he would rather die than continue submitting to the Carryx. Dafyd leaves troubled, and Jellit and Merrol recognize he may become a problem. The swarm-controlled Else, monitoring through altered senses, realizes Dafyd has failed to report and confronts him privately. Else uses emotional manipulation and kisses to convince Dafyd to go to the librarian and betray the plan, while promising that Jellit will cooperate in exchange for being spared. Dafyd struggles with the moral weight of this but agrees. He walks toward the librarian's office at dawn, formulating cover stories. Before he can leave, Campar makes tea and Dafyd confesses his fear of losing the people he has left. Tonner bursts in agitated and desperate, demanding writing materials. He compares two molecular diagrams by holding them to sunlight and declares with triumph that he has figured out how to feed the mock turtle.