Letta forces herself to work, in spite of her questions. She thinks it’s more likely that Fearfall lied to Noa, than that Noa purposefully deceived her. In any case, she thinks she owes Benjamin further investigation.

Her association with Marlo has pulled her from the path laid out by Noa. She realizes that she can’t believe the Desecrators are actually an enemy. Letta suggests that Noa allow her to put “abstracts” on the list—meaning, words that express abstract concepts, rather than serving purely as functional, practical instruments. Letta ventures out to speak to Noa.

Amelia answers the door and leads her to a small waiting room. Letta is concerned when Amelia coughs horribly, sways, and her mouth turns blue. As Letta is led passed various rooms, she sees a trapped sparrow in a room, banging against a window. It collapses.

Nearby, behind a closed door, she hears Noa demanding results from someone. He asks if anyone has dealt with the wordsmith, referring to Benjamin. An unfamiliar voice says they will dispose of him tomorrow night. Then Noa asks if Benjamin was allied with the Desecrators. The voice says they don’t know.