Despair makes allies true.

( And Matthias' cause appears intrinsically bound to family, unless his tongue — and is it still that? His tongue? — speaks falsehood.

Undeterred, Lan Wangji watches the droves of ghosts, gaunt and lost and watchful as they roam around them, barely holding their own secrets — let alone those of another man, haunted. No, they cannot trouble them so, with undue questions.

But their masters. )

There. ( A man carrying chains and the look of a dog, rabid. A man threatening, sure in his footing. A man who has put the hurt in others, hundreds of times over. ) Head on.

( Beitang Moran may speak; Lan Wangji may menace. A fine division of labour for one and all. )