Possum, the Master of the Claw, prepares to watch the public execution of former High Fist Janul, self declared Tyrant of Delanss and member of the Old Guard. He wonders which of these two crimes is the cause for the gruesome spectacle to follow. As he waits he is startled to be addressed by a head spiked upon the square's wall. It claims to have a message for Possum: "They are returning. The death-cheaters. The defiers. All the withholders and arrogators. Ah--here comes one now." Up on the wall, the head laughs to itself.