A job posting from the Inkridden Tribune circulates, seeking journalists willing to travel to the war front to write neutral articles depicting the reality of the war. Zeb discourages his employees from accepting any such offers, for he believes that the war is a western issue that shouldn’t concern them here in the east. He forces his own beliefs onto his staff, saying, “It’ll all blow over soon” (43). His stance prompts Iris to remember the initial reaction of the east to claims of Dacre overtaking the west last summer. Oath was slow to believe the claims, and its citizens remained unbothered by the news because they didn’t feel that it concerned them. In reality, the war unfolded due to the east’s refusal to help when those west called for aid.

Now, Zeb calls Iris into his office and gives her three days to complete an article on a topic of her choosing. If he decides to publish her article over Roman’s, she will become the foremost candidate for the columnist position. At first, Iris is invigorated by the endless possibilities of an open assignment, but upon realizing that she must impress Zeb in order to land the columnist promotion, her possibilities narrow considerably.