Sumna and the rest of the Three Seas are in the grips of the Holy War, and the propaganda by the Shrial apparati. Everywhere men, nobles and caste-menials, are preparing to go to war. “Maithanet had called, and the entire Three Seas had answered. The back of the heathen would be broken. Holy Shimeh would be cleansed.” Inrau manages to lunge towards the balcony, not to kill the Synthese perched on the railing, but himself.