Chapters 19-20 Summary

Chapter 19

Aenea, Raul, and a delegation from the Temple Hanging in the Air arrive at the reception, and present themselves to the Dalai Lama. Cardinal Mustafa is present, along with Nemes and her siblings. Raul quickly recognizes Nemes and correctly infers that the two guards with her are similar creatures. The Dalai Lama introduces Aenea and Raul using the pseudonyms Architect Ananda and her assistant Subhadda.

Mustafa, apologizing to the Dalai Lama, tells everyone that while attempting to study the T'ien Shan farcaster portal upon their arrival, the Pax inadvertently buried it. Mustafa debates the conversion and the cruciform with the Dalai Lama.

Later, at the end of the evening, Aenea and Raul are dancing as the party begins to wind down. Mustafa appears, along with Nemes and her siblings. The Shrike appears and everyone else flees. Aenea warns Mustafa that no matter what happens...