Winter, 1231.

After much discussion, the magi finally agree to take Drogo and Eira and hide them in the silver dragon's regione near to the covenant. They also make arrangements for two magi from Hibernia, Exticon ex Tytalus and Senach ex Flambeau, to join the covenant. Most of World's End covenant take over what is left of Ungulus covenant.

Deciding not to tell the newcomers anything, the magi leave Adric in charge and head down to Doissetep to talk to Benzigotrin ex Criamon to find out exactly what he saw when investigating the elemental stone. After some discussion, he says that he still has dreams at night, which tend to revolve around the same theme:

I am at the feet of Aphrodite, in her temple at the great river. The river takes me towards the setting sun, to the great city, which is looked down upon by a cave in the sand and rock. At the foot of the cave is a red jar, with four handles, with words trapped inside which speak with the voices of angels bound into twelve books.

The cave is dark, and is guarded by the four lions. There are words in gold within the cave, which speak to the mind and soul.

He thinks that the place is on the Nile, and creates some illusions to try and describe what he saw.

The magi decide to head to the Levant to investigate this and try and find the golden tablets, but first they stop off at Pavia in Italy to find Columbanus' old friend Bishop Fulk.

At Pavia, it is soon discovered that the Inquisition are here, and that the people think that the Bishop is being held by them at the cathedral. A quick scouting of the cathedral indicates that its walls are kept clear of birds by gargoyles which watch over it. Inside, Columbanus is turned away by a man wearing red, who tells them that the cathedral is closed and that they are not welcome.

That night, the magi decide to break into the cathedral, Shale making a (temporary) hole in one wall so that the magi can slip inside to investigate.