Content Warning: This section of the guide includes descriptions of psychological and physical torture.

On the day before Kiva’s Trial by Water, she goes to collect samples from the underground aquifers. While walking to the aquifer, Cresta intercepts Kiva and accuses her of not doing enough to help the sick and dying prisoners. Kiva tells Cresta that she is trying to find the source of the illness even now. Cresta observes that anyone who has come to see Kiva—even for the most minor illness—has gotten sick. Although Kiva worries that anything she says could be used to spark unrest, she does ask whether the rebels will try to save them again. Cresta says that she has not heard of another attempt.

The tunnellers working in the aquifer have the most dangerous job in Zalindov, but they supply the water that keeps everyone in prison alive. Kiva believes that tomorrow’s trial will be in the aquifer, since she does not know of another body of water that would work. When Kiva and Naari return to the ladders, a prisoner named Olisha tells Kiva that Tilda is finally awake and lucid.