Ash is in Q’os the capital of Lanstrada, the Mannian heartland staking out the Temple of Whispers pursuing his personal vendetta to kill the Matriarch - Sasheen.

Ash is hiding in the bilge of one of the ships staying alive by stealing food and water in the night not knowing where he's heading.

Sasheen assigns Ché a diplomatic task, to make an example of the lover of General Romano in retaliation to him slandering her son while intoxicated.

The party reaches the island of Lagos, whose entire population was put to death on the orders of the Matriarch.

Curl, a survivor from the island of Lagos, who works as a prostitute in Bar-Khos enlists herself in the army as a medic.

On the orders of general Creed of Khos all convicted prisoners and those deemed too unfit for duty are enlisted into the Army.

He was found drenched in the blood of Adrianos, a commander who led the last successful offensive against the Imperial Fourth Army.

Inside Sasheen and her inner circle are having an orgy with narcotics and slaves in celebration of having landed with the army, Ché is also present although he's not participating.

He lays out the terms of surrender to creed with the threat that if he refuses every person of Khos will be killed and also offers him an ornate ceremonial dagger of Mann whose purpose is to take once own life.

Creed attacks the Mann army in the night at first they make good progress but are later halted taking heavy losses.

Sasheen, who is dying from the poison, gives her final order to Archgeneral Sparus that Romano must not be allowed to be her successor and if necessary to kill him.

Ash eventually makes his way to Bar-Khos and meeting with as old contact learns of the destruction of Sato.

Ash wanders around till he reaches Bilge Town, he finds a bar and decides to drink himself out of his misery.