Paran is watching the Bridgeburners file out of Capustan when Silverfox approaches him. She tells him that Coll and Murillio have kidnapped the Mhybe. Paran accuses her of abandoning her mother, and that Coll and Murillio are probably just looking to grant her some dignity in her last days. In the ensuing argument the two discuss their past relationship. Paran says that once she died, he over-romanticized their short time together. Silverfox tells him she no longer recognizes him. The two part ways, Paran telling Silverfox to let her mother go, and Silverfox refusing to listen. As she goes, Paran thinks how the T'lan Imass have indeed found a leader as cold and emotionless as they.