That night before bedtime, Rafe discovers that someone has rigged a poison-needle trap on his bedroom door. He deftly avoids the trap, and the Company question Ferdinand Serranto as to who would have known what rooms they were staying in. Ferdinand has no answers for the Company, but apparently convinced that no other foul plans are afoot, the Company returns to their quarters and post no guards while sleeping.
The 4th of Saarh
Jeremi, along with Rafe (whom Jeremi has appointed to be 1st Rank Initiative in the Priesthood of AEton) and Sebastian (who has begun studying the mysteries of the AEtonist faith) visit the new Junior Illuminator of the Illumination Council, Cristobal Arino. His staff is busy packing for Arino's move to the Holy City of Arille. Jeremi informs Arino that he believes he has found the location of Sinjapur, and possibly the Banewarrnes, in Verundhi. Arino produces the "Letters of the Code of the Illumination of Blessed �ton" and a small pin symbolizing that he has been temporarily transfered into the division of the Illumination. Arino gives Jeremi authority to call upon low-ranking Shields in the Illumination for assistance in traveling to the Banewarrens and discovering its exact location. He also informs Jeremi to see Father High Priest Heth in Verundhi, who is the highest ranking �tonist priest in Verundhi (whose people traditionally follow the Bhuwani faith).
The Company makes preparations for their travel to Verundhi. Members of the Company attend to their own business while Jeremi, Rafe, and Sebastian again visit the former estate of Cristobal Arino, now the property of his Holiness, Jimalate Rageau of Southern Barrid. They know little of this man except that he is apparently a minor noble from a powerful family from Courriseux. He also belongs to the Order of Hallowed Praenner, the same order to which Jeremi belongs. He explains that he understands that Arino has put Jeremi and the Company on an important quest, and that he has decided to assign a personal attache to Jeremi. He calls forward Estacio, formerly of the Personal Guard of Don Carlitos Hector de Marin, and now an Initiate of the Order of Hallowed Saennifel. Estacio pledges to act as a personal assistant and bodyguard for Jeremi, in return for Jeremi's help in destroying the remnants of the Socieda Obscura, who are regathering their strength under the leadership of Antonito Radillar. Estacio promptly leaves, eager for vengeance, to seek out the location of the Sociedad Obscura hideout while the rest of the company procure supplies.
Estacio later catches up with the Company and explains that he believes that the Sociedad Obscura is using an abandoned ancient pagan underground temple as a warehouse of sorts, and are gathering supplies from unmarked ships sailing into the southern ports of Barrid. He is adamant to "take the fight to them" and immediately leaves for the underground tunnels. The rest of the Company follow.
In the tunnels, they come across a partially caved-in, seemingly abandoned and forgotten temple with grotesque carvings. Shortly, a group of eight crossbowmen attack the Company, along with a arcane-wielding wyrd who wears a mask and a mysterious shadowy warrior who is able to summon shadow-men to fight for him. A deadly combat ensues, but with the help of Estacio, the Company wins the day. The plans of the reformed Sociedad Obscura are stopped abruptly, although the Company is uncertain whether other members are still at large. Additionally, Estacio notes that the shadowy warrior seemed to have been trained in the art of the Sulinor.
The 5th - 10th of Saarh
The Company attended to their own personal business in Barrid while preparing for the long trip to Verundhi. They alert Magistrate Guillermo Alacado of the renewed presence of the Radillar Family and the Sociedad Obscura in the underground of Barrid. Jeremi Udall questions some of the �tonist leadership about the apparent sudden rise to power of Cristobal Arino. Rafe leaves the city for a few days and travels to the Crooked Oak Tavern a day's ride from Barrid. Uso busies himself with copying new spells into his spellbook, while Grumash, B'gokktem, and Sebastian procure supplies.
The Company prepare to set out for Verundhi, by way of Courriseux and eventually through Stadhof, where Grumash wishes to meet up with his tribe. Before they leave, Jeremi orders Estacio to investigate the current whereabouts of the mysterious Chalice which came into the possession of Cristobal Arino, as well as travel north to Colina Justa and question High Priestess Shandril about the Crucible of Hallowed Laessal. Estacio is to meet up with the Company when he can.
The Company then depart the city, leaving many questions unanswered (the reported
