At the beginning of the chapter, Saddith has just fetched Terisa from the rooms of Eremis, and interrupted his seduction of her. It soon turns out that this is at the instigation of Geraden, who had been in the grip of one of his feelings, this time that Terisa had been in some sort of danger. He is taken away by Master Quillon, and Saddith takes Terisa back to her rooms to meet with Princess Myste. On the way a confused Terisa asks the maid for advice, and Saddith tells herThere is no life which does not posses its own importance, no life which may not be touched with greatness and have a hand in it.
foreshadowing?"My lady," replied Saddith, trying to speak lightly, "I would make certain that Master Eremis does not come to hate me." An open window somewhere let in a draft of cold into the corridor. Terisa shivered.
Princess Myste is waiting for Terisa in her rooms. The two eat a meal together, and have quite an interesting discussion. Myste has a genuine admiration for Terisa and the way she has handled her situation thus far. She also says that Geraden is trustworthy, and makes these interesting comments about her sister and herself:
And Myste has this to say about Terisa:"I have a better opinion of many things than she does. She is a king's daughter, and she desires the importance of a high place in the affairs of Mordant. She does not forgive her father - or the society around her - or anything else which she imagines stands between her and her natural right to plot and manipulate and betray as much as any prince. She does not forgive Geraden for the mistaken judgement which once betrothed him to her." Then she shrugged. "I think better of being a woman. I think better of those who hold power in Orison....I think better of myself."
After the two talk for a while, they are called to Court. An ambassador from Alend has made his way to Orison through the depths of winter, in a very dangerous and difficult journey. After the Hall fills with nobles, King Joyse and Havelock come in. Havelock capers and dances and declares everything a waste of time, which the King agrees with. The Ambassador turns out to be the oldest son of the Alend King, Prince Kragen. The King and the Prince make some rather nasty cracks to each other and then the King proposes a game of hop-board between the Prince and Terisa. Terisa figures out a way to make the game come out in a tie, which saves the Prince's face. The King then dismisses the Prince with yet another insult. Elega gets up and yellsThen you must be very wise...You are able to see yourself exactly as you are. tou are able to see everything exactly as it is. I have no such vision...You yourself are already the wisest woman in Orison, for you have not been misled by those who believe i ntheir own wisdon. You know the difference between what is seen and what is unseen, and you do not attempt to judge the one by the other."
and flees after the Prince. The King then sadly says after his daughter"Father, I am ashamed!"
"That saddens me...I have always been proud of you."