Emaarisil explains that he "got in over his head" and feels that he no longer has a choice but to help Thakur sher-Ikhtiar. House Ikhtiar is an enemy of House Bhindum; the two houses are the most powerful of all of the merchant houses in Bima Hara and Emaarisil believes that Ikhtiar is making a move to cripple House Bhindum. Like the members of House Bhindum, Thakur sher-Ikhtiar has a kind of diplomatic immunity. Local government officials typically turn a blind eye to his activities. There are rumours that sher-Ikhtiar even has ties to the Devi of Verundhi herself.
Whatever business sher-Ikhtiar has in the Ramhati forest, Emaarisil believes that it is tied somehow to "hurting" House Bhindum. Thakur sher-Ikhtiar contacted Emaarisil not long after he arrived in Bima Hara from the east. As a member of an aristocratic family, Emaarisil felt comfortable among the merchant house leader. Later, he discovered that sher-Ikhtiar also employed the Ivory Tigers, a secretive network of martial artists, warriors, and spies. For some reason, sher-Ikhtiar wishes Emaarisil to join the Ivory Tigers. Emaarisil believes the Si'lara's life could now be in danger because sher-Ikhtiar must believe that she was trying to talk him out of joining the group. He believes that he can try to infiltrate the Ivory Tigers the find out the details behind sher-Ikhtiar's plans and somehow get word back to Si'lara.
Cirend is particularly vocal about not agreeing with this plan of action, and wishes to tie Emaarisil up and keep him out of the way until they have dealt with sher-Ikhtiar. Cirend, and most of the rest of the Company, do not believe that Emaarisil has done a good job of displaying his "talents" for being useful. They are concerned that if he rejoins sher-Ikhtiar that the merchant leader will somehow gain control over Emaarisil and convince him to turn on the Company. There is a long debate, but in the end the Company seem to think that the best course of action is to return to their inn with Emaarisil and imprison him inside their room for the time-being for "his own protection".
After tying up Emaarisil, who reluctantly accepts Si'lara's betrayal, the Company head to the Inn of the Ghostly Minstrel to plan their next move. The consensus of the group is that High Priest Heth is somehow in league with the creatures that wear the bone rings. The Company has still not determined what the bone rings represent. Cirend, who himself put on a bone ring a few days ago, is very vocal that something seems to be "wrong" with High Priest Heth. After conversing with Cirend for a few minutes, Jeremi seems to agree and he leaves to go speak with Heth at the Chapel of Hallowed Aladriel, the Hallowed Matron of Freedom. Sebastian accompanies Jeremi, intending to investigate the local surroundings while Jeremi speaks with Heth.
At the Chapel in the Rivergate District, Jeremi encounters two guards at the front entrance, a male shagir and a male half-breed of kobali descent. Interestingly, the �tonist faith here seems to be a little more tolerant of these races in Bima Hara than they are back in the West. Jeremi converses briefly with the two guards, and decides to try to see if they are wearing bone rings. His powers of observation are a little lacking, however, and he is not able to determine this for certain. The guards direct him inside, where Jeremi meets Vicar Falgun, a native Verundhian who is in charge of the Chapel while Heth is away. Vicar Falgun explains that Heth is not in at the moment, and that he might be away at the main Cathedral of Hallowed Tolnan in the Temple District. Jeremi questions whether Falgun and Heth live at the Chapel, and also tries to spy whether Falgun is wearing a bone ring. Again, he is uncertain because Falgun's hands remain mostly hidden in his robes. Jeremi offers to assist Falgun with the evening devotionals, but Falgun explains that their Chapel does not actually have a congregation at the moment and that most people prefer to pray at the main Cathedral. He suggests that Jeremi go there.
Jeremi and Sebastian head back over to the Temple District and Jeremi converses with High Priest Tulasi about Heth; again, Jeremi discovers that Heth is not there. Tulasi believes that he is probably at the Chapel of Hallowed Aladriel, or else out on personal business. Jeremi offers to assist in evening prayers, and is allowed to do so. Tulasi encourages Jeremi to complete his task in the Banevault with all due speed. They are concerned over the loss of their holy champion, Kalimat, and also that people seem to be moving into and out of the Banevault at will. Jeremi promises to get around to it as soon as he can.
Meanwhile, Cirend proceeds to drink excessive amounts of arak, an alcoholic beverage of fermented sugar cane juice.
Jeremi and Sebastian eventually rejoin the Company, and they make plans to head out in the morning to the Ramhati Forest to investigate why Thakur sher-Ikhtiar is cutting down trees in the forest.
