In the plains of Atropatene, a mist appears on the morning of the battle. It is rumored that a "power beyond human standing" is at work in the area. Rumor has it that Petrus was killed by a "magic walking among us" . When the mist appears again, Petrus asks if he has any business with him. He says that he did not ask him to kill Petrus for him, and that he does not recall asking him to do so. He also says that the royal capital will fall into chaos if the battle is not won. The mist reappears again, this time in the form of water. The water is quant, which means that it has been poured into the river. The two men discuss the road to Peshawar. The road is to be left in the hands of Petrus, and he asks if it is the same road that he is to take to the palace. He replies that it is. He is grateful for the help, but he is concerned about the fate of his brother and his brother's friend, the arch-bishop. He believes that if andras is killed, the king will marry innocently, and bodin will become even more hostile toward his brother. He tells the two men that he wants to see his brother take the throne, but that he would like to know where his brother is concerned. The soldier tells him that an urgent message has been sent for the king. He asks him if he is going to marry Taha Menay, and she will bear him a child, who will become his "saviours sor." The soldier says that if the king chooses to burn in hell as an anapostate