The Family's Call and the Decision to Return

A beggar named Sedekamp — a long-time family retainer — finds Lorist in a tavern after a decade of searching. He brings word: the old baron and both elder brothers are dead, and Lorist alone of House Norton survives, summoned to return north and claim the inheritance.

Lorist is wracked by insomnia: the soul-mark of the original Locke calls him home. At last he resolves to go, to outfit a trade convoy of arms and supplies for the impoverished house and take loyal men with him. The former imperial officer Bodfinger pledges himself as Lorist's liege-man.