The chapter starts with more 'pearls' of wisdom from our favorite concubine, Saddith. I am never sure whether I really like her or not, but she surely knows what she wants & how to get it, in the walls of Orison.
I think this passage sums up Saddith for me:
Terisa is baffled by this woman, who uses sex and flirtation to her advantage (taking advantage of those poor, defenseless men of Orison), slowly improving her station so she can someday be a "lady" and come to have power in the court."They are the highest ladies in the land," explained the maid, "They have position and wealth, rich gowns and rare jewels. All the finest men of Mordant are theirs by right. But what use do they make of their opportunities? The lady Elega scorns suitor. She does not wish a man - she wishes to be one. And the lady Myste will not leave behind her nursery girl's dreams of romance and adventure."
Saddith laughed softly. "They are properly clad and placed to be who they are. But they are too bloodless for it. Neither of them is woman enough to rule the King's court as it should be ruled.
"Some day my lady," she added confidently, "I will stand among them. I will be as high as any of the ladies of Mordant."
"The contrast will not be to their advantage."
[I always enjoy how SRD can write from a female perspective and make it believable and accurate.]
The next day bring Eremis & Geraden, to escort Terisa to a meeting of the Congery. Of course, she & Geraden aren't invited, but in all his concieted glory, Eremis ushers them in and commences to offer Geraden the chasuble of a Master! Needless to say, this is not exactly met with enthusiasm (I think he may be onto something in regard to Geradens abilities, but we'll have to keep reading to find out....).
After much discussion & arguement, they re-examine the augury. In te end, they decide to summon the Champion, which is a direct violation of Joyse's orders.
It is an interesting moral dilemma - to save your own live, would you risk that of another? Drag a person to a strange place, facing unknown dangers - all to save your own skin? But then there is the question of whether the person actually has an existence, that the person was 'created' in the glass. Is there a dilemma now? Isn't it now like using a weapon, like a gun or spear - a tool to be used?
After they agree to Eremis' delay 6 days, they break up & go their separate ways.....
Then comes the comic relief (IMO). Eremis & Terisa retire to his sumptuous rooms, complete with a modest, discrete marking on the door, identifying it as his (what, a life size portrait isn't modest?). As Eremis tries to put the moves on our innocent heroine, Geraden decides that now would be a good time to knock on the door, walk into the room and generally make a pest of himself. I can't help but laugh when I read these pages - can't you just see Eremis fuming at Geraden? And good old Geraden saying:
"I am in your debt. For no apparent reason, you proposed me for the chasuble of a Master. I'm done now with my other duties. I want to repay you somehow"
GET OUT YOU EXCREMENT OF A PIG!!!! (or something like that). LOL!!!
Finally, they are left alone for a while and just when Eremis is ready to "begin exploring the territory of her womanhood." - who breaks in but Saddith - sent to find her for lady Myste - poor Eremis...