Ten years have passed. Merthin, now nearly finished with his apprenticeship under master builder Elfric, bumps into Buonaventura Caroli, a Florentine merchant who encourages his experimentation with building. Caroli also talks with Caris, a young woman whose willingness to question the authority of the church is already fully developed. Due to torrential rains, a wall of the Kingsbridge church collapses. Merthin shows up Elfric, known for his poor craftmanship and lack of knowledge about his trade, by correctly identifying the likely cause and suggesting a less lucrative means of repairing the fault. He impresses Thomas, now matricularus (director of building and maintenance) in the priory. Thomas also warns Merthin that talking about the letter might lead to their assassination by powerful interests. The chapter ends with Griselda, pregnant by her boyfriend Thurstan, seducing Merthin to claim Merthin is the father.

At the Wooler house that night, Buonaventura announces that he will switch to Shiring’s market because it has made more investments that traders need. Edmund takes Caris, Merthin, and Buonaventura to see Prior Anthony (also Edmund’s brother) about upgrading the market and bridge to keep important traders coming back.