The chapter opens with a soliloquy by Veril, in which he tells the reader that he does not intend to kill anyone. He says that he was not the first to strike the first blow, and that he has no intention of killing anyone. However, he warns Veril that he will be punished for breaking the rules. He adds that he would have spoken to the registry officials before he died, but now that he is in trouble, he will not be able to do so.