A quiet lunch for family and friends at the University is interupted when the guest of honour, Erona, is taken suddenly ill. One of the guests -- a priest of Artafor -- attempts to revive Souriin's mother, but his attempt fails.

Just as Souriin is about to give up hope, a female dark elf appears in the hall. She claims that her master is able to help save Erona, and will do so on the condition that Souriin guarantees his safety while he does so. 

Souriin is very wary -- he tells the elf that he wishes to know her master's intentions before he proceeds. He does not wish his mother to be bound to the dark elves' spider goddess, and he is deeply suspicious of the dark elves' intentions.

The dark elf says that her master claims no allegiance to the spider goddess, but instead to Wiobra, God of Death. She says that he will intercede with his God to allow the clerics to revive Erona safely. As for the intentions of her race, she says that her master knows little of them. He is of a different race. The dark elf's master is an illithid.

Shocked, but with Erona still motionless, Souriin reluctantly grants the illithid right of passage. He has seen too many people die recently, and he needs links to his past. If the illithid promises only to talk, he will listen. 

The creature is disturbing blatant about its immediate motivations. It claims to be offering help exactly because this is a unique opportunity to persuade Souriin to trust it. It wishes to become the 13th member of Project Deathwatch.

The illithid explains briefly that it is an exile from its race -- it has embraced a different form of power to that of its brethren, and its mental powers are mostly defunct as a result. (It does, however, still communicate telepathically.) It asks for only one favour in return for its assistance -- an opportunity to try to persuade Souriin to accept it into the Project. Should Souriin refuse, it will then leave and Erona will still be alive.

Souriin asks the creature why is it an outcast. He also tells it that he must examine its mind, but this really a bluff to test its reaction.

The illithid is, as before, exceptionally frank in answering Souriin's questions. The creature claims to be a follower of Wiobra, the God of Death. This calling is totally incompatible with the structure of illithid society, which hinges around the elder brain. The illithid was forced to flee the community to survive, and now lives as an exile.

The illithid is prepared to allow Souriin to undertake a mental examination, but warns that this could be dangerous for both of them. The deterioration of the creature's mental powers is not complete, but it has poor control of what remains. An intrusion could trigger an involuntary reaction harmful to the creature, Souriin, or most likely both of them.

Curiously, the illithid refers to his specific illithid community as surreptitious. It isn't clear if this is the name of the elder brain, the community, or both.

The attending priests are extremely unsettled by the appearance of the illithid, but one (a friend of Erona's from Lerantu) does have the presence of mind to remind Souriin that is it quite common for a Monk of Death (the name given to Wiobra's servants) to appear at the death-bed of an important figure. If the illithid is truly a servant of the God of Death, then this priest believes that should Souriin give his permission, the Monk will be able to safely restore Erona to life.

The illithid warns that the chances of reviving Erona are fading. It needs to act now, or not at all. Will Souriin allow the illithid to assist the priests revive Erona?

Still reluctant, but with no other choices, Souriin agrees. The illithid places its hands on Erona's chest and instructs the priests to try again. Within moments, her breath returns and she regains consciousness. The priest and other guests rush to tend to her.

Souriin asks the illithid, visibly exhausted by its efforts, why a servant of Wiobra might be interested in his work. He also cautions the illithid that recent events have prejudiced his thinkings regarding the illithid race.

The creature replies to Souriin's questions. It appears not understand the concept of prejudice properly. It also says that Souriin's project draws spirits from Wiobra's realm, and it is thus proper that a servant of Wiobra be involved.

The illithid stumbles. The elf's face registers concern. She tells Souriin that her master must now retire, and reminds him of the promise of safe passage. The illithid's tentacles are sagging, and lack the continuous writhing motions typical of its race. Weakly, the creature communicates with Souriin once more.

"Consider my words. You need me for your project. I will return to you once I have rested."

With that, the dark elf leads the creature out of the chamber. The guests break into startled chatter. Souriin turns to his mother, lying serenely on a nearby table, colour returning to her cheeks and her breath once again steady.