Chapter 8 Summary

Borlu calls Isabelle Nancy, who is Mahalia's professor and supervisor on the dig. Professor Nancy seems a little surprised Borlu is trying to question her, because she assumes and asks if he isn't invoking Breach. Borlu explains that it is likely Breach will pick up the case but he's just doing some last minute work. When Borlu mentions Mahalia's study of Orciny, the professor says absolutely not, that this is an archaeology department.

The professor goes on to explain that the dig Mahalia was working on is in artifacts that predate Ul Qoma and Beszel. She says she was surprised when Mahalia came to her for her PhD work because Mahalia used to be a Bowdenite. A Bowdenite is someone who believes in the third city, Orciny, after an author David Bowden, who writes of a secret colony that still exists between Ul...