Set in

Izar messages Ego, who uses a mindlink circlet to communicate with Hrothulf and Dorinda. Dorinda dislikes the circlet. Ego gets directions and a door code to the armory, learning there are people inside but no known names. In the courtyard, Ego, Hrothulf, and Dorinda encounter a guard who insists on registering Hrothulf. The guard notices Ego's right-handed signature, unusual for Vashnu who is left-handed. Four guards arrive at the armory first and greet "Lord Vashnu" (Ego). Inside, Ego requests the red-eyed shield (which only Izar can see as red in the ethereal realm). The guards are confused but eventually follow orders. Dorinda prepares a sticky bomb in case of trouble. A guard refuses to relinquish the shield without the Queen's permission. Suspicion arises as guards address "Vashnu" with different titles. A fight ensues: Dorinda immobilizes four guards with sticky bombs, Hrothulf uses Firehammer’s Heart, and Ego uses a force ballista to push an attendant back. Izar tries to retrieve the shield, finding it magically mounted. Dorinda suspects a setup and sees soldiers approaching. Hrothulf tries to break the glass case but fails. The armory attendants fight back, and Ego uses a device to create a shattering noise, cracking the glasteel. Izar grabs the shield. Dorinda changes the door code and knocks out the remaining guards. The team devises a plan: Dorinda becomes invisible, Izar blinks out with the shield, and Ego disguises as a salamander guard, handcuffing Hrothulf as a prisoner. They mislead the soldiers and head towards the cell blocks. Dorinda slips away, and the team hopes Izar escapes safely with the shield.