Pure Nation visits the Governor to pressure the Hills of Hope to yield to the Ridge of Revelation's demands. After being escorted into her study, Pure Nation addresses the Governor directly, without any introduction:

time to give up hope

and prostrate to the lord

your protest dies in vain

surrender to the sword

if you do not comply 

allow our trooper vetting

we will arrest your citizens

for aiding and abetting 

you have no choice

to save what you command

comply and you’ll be sheltered

while we reshape this land

Hope replies:

it’s been long since that meeting

within the gold house walls

when the lord spoke of his vision

yet never heard our calls

Hope’s assistant comes into the room and whispers to her. Hope stands, excuses herself to take an important call, and departs the side door to her office. After the Governor departs her study, Pure Nation scans the room and notices Bodhi’s book on the side table. He reaches over to pick it up and opens to the earmarked page. 

As Pure Nation reads the underlined section, he turns white and his hand tightens on the page. He places the book in his bag and quickly departs the Governor’s house. Hope returns to her study, relieved that she is alone. She sits on the couch and reflects:

what path must I follow
when all roads divide
to protect those in danger
yet not turn aside

the law must still guide me
yet mercy must lead
for justice without it
becomes harm in its creed

I will stand in the fracture
though fear draws me near
for what must be guarded
is love without fear

As Hope ponders her decision, she thinks of Bodhi and looks to her side table to read more of his book. In a panic, she discovers it missing.