Nightfall

Siferra explains that she has become a Fire Patrol officer, which she describes as being “as close as there is to a new local government” (228). Theremon is skeptical about the Fire Patrol, but Siferra notes that at least they aren’t as bad as the Apostles, who have disappeared since the eclipse. When Siferra tells him about another faction that blames the astronomers for the Stars, Theremon expresses his regret over writing against the scientists. Siferra consoles him by acknowledging his sincerity at the time and telling him to engage with their situation in the present.

Siferra invites Theremon to eat at the Sanctuary, leaving the raw meat behind for the hunters who had caught it in the first place. They reach the Sanctuary, where Siferra introduces Theremon to Altinol. Theremon recognizes Altinol’s name from his days as a corporate officer. Later, Siferra asks about it, leading Theremon to tell her about a corruption scandal that Altinol was involved in sometime in the past. Theremon recovers from his injuries and reflects on the loss of the old world. He stops short of lamenting this loss and remembers Siferra’s advice to focus on the present.

Siferra passes along an invitation for Theremon to join the Fire Patrol. The only caveat, she expresses, is that Theremon will have to recognize Altinol’s authority without reservation. She reassures Theremon that Altinol’s intentions are good and says that the two men can talk about any concerns that Theremon might have. Theremon answers that it isn’t necessary as he feels the Fire Patrol will merely repeat the patterns of oppressive governments in the long run. He declines the invitation and decides to go to Amgando Park. Siferra accepts his invitation to come with him. They sleep together.

Theremon and Siferra begin their journey to Amgando, passing through a suburban area along the way. Siferra ponders the ruins that surround them, trying to rationalize the fall of civilization. She decides that there is no reason or design behind it, just an accident of nature that affects Kalgash every now and then.

Siferra and Theremon are about to reach the highway when they hear gunfire nearby. Theremon fires a warning shot with his own weapon to discourage the shooters. He then suggests burning the shooters’ house to disperse or kill them. Siferra initially argues against it but decides that death is just another fact of the new world. Theremon sets the house on fire and the settlers disperse. He justifies this action by claiming that it was the only way they could have escaped the area alive. They reach the highway.

Theremon and Siferra traverse the highway, passing the wrecks of cars whose drivers died during the eclipse. Later, they pass a church that a group of survivors are demolishing out of anger at the gods. Theremon reminds Siferra that the Apostles caused many people to think the eclipse was an act of divine wrath. They discuss the likelihood of the Apostles taking shelter in their tower, from which they could control much of Saro City. Theremon expresses his regret over not having killed Folimun. Siferra reminds him not to feel guilty over it because everything that happened was an act of nature, not the gods.

They continue to travel, occasionally making camp along the highway to rest. After they decide to take the nearest exit, they come across a barricaded checkpoint. They approach the border officers, who tell them that they have reached a Search station. Theremon questions the purposes of their search, so the officer antagonizes him. Theremon attacks the officer, which calls the attention of the station’s official professor—Beenay.

Theremon tells Beenay how he heard about Amgando from Sheerin, whom none of them have heard from or seen for some time. Beenay indicates that many factions have sprung up trying to claim authority during the power vacuum. Siferra describes her participation in the Fire Patrol.

Beenay tells them about the provinces that lead to Amgando, each of which is marked by a Search station to ensure travelers aren’t carrying incendiary equipment with them. He explains that his role at the station is to leverage his intelligence in diplomatic and logistical situations, as well as to maintain morale. They decided to remain at the Search station when Raissta sustained a leg injury and the border guards expressed their need for a professor.

A border guard comes in with word that the Apostles of Flame are sending an army to Amgando to destroy whatever groups they find there. The Apostles intend to become the preeminent governing body on Kalgash. Beenay urges Theremon and Siferra to travel to Amgando to warn the community. Beenay remains at the station, meanwhile, to help Raissta recover.

Theremon and Siferra cross through the first two provinces before encountering signs of trouble at the border for Godland Province. Siferra reassures the border guard that they are on a mission to prevent further fires from starting at the hands of the Apostles. The guard lets them through.

As they continue to travel, Theremon expresses his surprise at the lack of emergency planning. Siferra reminds him that no one could have prepared for the mass psychological effect of the Stars. Siferra looks around for signs of the Apostles’ approach, worried that they will eventually capture Beenay’s Search station before catching up to her and Theremon.

As they get further along on the highway, they see the first signs of the Apostles, who have avoided the highways by using trucks. Theremon suggests stealing one of the trucks so they can reach Amgando ahead of schedule. Just as they are sneaking up to the camp, a few soldiers find them, forcing Theremon and Siferra to break away. The Apostles capture Theremon, who pretends to be a farmer from the area. The Apostles refuse to believe him, so they take him to their commander, Folimun. Folimun deduces that Theremon is headed to Amgando as well. Theremon tells him that he will only speak to Mondior, at which point Folimun reveals that Mondior never existed.

Siferra manages to escape the Apostles, hiding in the nearby woods. She tries to figure out how she can execute Theremon’s plan on her own. When she proceeds back toward the Apostles’ camp, she is almost immediately caught. However, she sees that her captor is none other than Theremon, who tells her that he was able to get away by some “holy miracle.” When Siferra beckons him to take one of the trucks, he calls the attention of the Apostles. He tells her that he wants her to meet someone.

In the Apostles’ tent, Folimun tries to convince Siferra that they are on the same side. Siferra is skeptical, considering everything that has happened since the disappearance of the Thombo tablets. Folimun admits to the theft, justifying it as necessary to ensure their safekeeping while society collapsed. He explains that the Apostles have managed to conduct a comprehensive translation of the tablets, which relate an accurate history of past eclipses. With the tablets, the Apostles can better prepare for the next eclipse.

When they are left alone, Theremon tells Siferra he will prove that he is of sound mind. He then tells her that he loves her, which she thinks is an appeal to her emotions. He reveals that Mondior doesn’t exist and functions as a propaganda figure for Folimun, who is the true leader of the Apostles. He also tells her that Folimun’s intention is not to destroy the survivors at Amgando but to integrate them into the new government. Siferra remains skeptical, but Theremon indicates that he trusts Folimun for all the evidence he has presented. Folimun is willing to share all the ancient knowledge he has access to, which guarantees the cyclical event of the eclipse. Theremon advocates for religious totalitarianism, knowing that it will eventually make way for a rational central government better than any other faction will. He also explains that Folimun was trying to rescue the astronomers from the rioters on the day of the eclipse but couldn’t find a way to convince them to come along to their hideout shelter.

Theremon shares Folimun’s plan to become the leader of Kalgash in order to keep the superstitious population in line, while the scientists utilize their shared knowledge of the eclipse to avoid another major upheaval. Theremon admits that he isn’t fully behind the idea but asks Siferra to come outside with him before he can explain why.

Theremon and Siferra emerge from the Apostles’ tent to see four of Kalgash’s suns in the sky. Theremon identifies it as a sign of luck. Then he explains to Siferra that the only reason he supports Folimun’s proposal is that he is the only leader fit to unite people in a broken world. Where other leaders like Altinol are trying to restore the structures of the old world, Folimun is the only one who can speak to the most common beliefs of the people affected by the eclipse. After several centuries, the people will become reasonable enough to consider Folimun’s teachings obsolete. As the knowledge of the eclipse is sustained across generations, the scientists can take the lead in preparing for the eclipse with the reemergence of reason. Theremon’s only consolation is that such patterns of reason arising from superstition and fanaticism have happened before.

Folimun comes to ask them how they feel about his proposal. Theremon indicates that he will only support Folimun if Siferra does. Siferra accepts on the condition that she wear her own clothes, not the Apostles’ robes.