Commander Blistig has been given orders by the new Fist Gamet, head of Adjunct Tavore's army, to find Squint, the archer who killed Coltaine to end his suffering. The archer is found drunken in a tavern. Gamet complains about the lack of discipline among the Aren soldiers. Blistig reminds him of the anger among his soldiers at being forced by orders to stand by and watch Coltaine and the Chain of Dogs get slaughtered by their pursuers just outside the walls of Aren. Blistig also voices some doubts of Gamet's leadership abilities, to which Gamet reminds him that he is a 23-year veteran of the Fourth Army and Wickan Wars. Before parting Gamet informs Blistig that Adjunct Tavore has called a meeting of all commanders that night.