Chapter 3 Summary

Rialla returns to Laeth's room and sits in silence until morning comes. When he wakes up, she tells him about the other slave girl, and how she has assimilated many of the girl's memories. From what she has received, Rialla realizes that the girl thinks that her old Master, the slave trainer, is none other than the Voice of Altis. Now that Rialla's mind has been opened to the other girl's, some of her empathic ability is coming back, and many of the mental barriers that she has built up come down, leaving her little protection against the emotions of those around her. When she has some free time, Rialla meditates and tries to work through her old memories, as well as those provided by the girl, so that she will be able to function normally later.

At a social function, a man...