Ekur proudly explains that the Carryx were able to bring together and use the “idiosyncratic brilliance of a thousand different species into a central system of control” (373), which would otherwise have gone to waste. They did the same thing with humans, whose society was structureless and chaotic. The Carryx harnessed the self-delusion and desire of humanity, but only “for a time” (374).

Dafyd stands in Tkson’s room and explains the uprising plans. To keep Jellit safe, he claims that Jellit was the one who told him and asked him to relay the message to Tkson. As he explains, the weight of his betrayal makes him feel nauseous and faint. He adds that Tonner discovered a way to make the berries a safe food source for the not-turtles and notes that in time, they might be able to replicate the process for other organisms. Tkson laments that he has come so close and won’t see the end. Tkson then sends a Rak-Hund to retrieve Jellit.

Dafyd fears that Else failed to convince him and Jellit will say it’s all a lie. However, when Jellit enters the room, he awkwardly corroborates everything Dafyd said. Tkson orders them to stay in the room and leaves to deal with the rebelling humans.