In Itko Kan, Apsalar's father Rellock has passed away in his sleep during the previous night. There are signs that Hood or one of his minions came to collect his soul personally. As she mourns, Crokus reflects on how he has come to know her less and feels what is at her core is not fully human. He wonders if Cotillion's possession of her has put her on the path towards ascendancy, and if so if she wants him to join her on that path. He recalls recent events where Shadowthrone sent them to Kan in order to kill two people who had been extorting a bookkeeper in an alley resulting in Crokus acquiring a new name, Cutter, for his skill with twin knives. At first he rejects his new name, but comes to accept it as he is no longer the naive cutpurse he was in Darujhistan. He decides to walk the pat