The Valley of Decision Book II - The New Light - Section 2.11

In which Odo is introduced to the intricate and often contradictory court society surrounding the Duchess, whose spirited conversation and the varied characters about her reveal the delicate balance of power and influence in Pianura. His subsequent visit to the Duke’s library and Gamba’s humble lodging casts a reflective light on the deeper historical roots of their troubled world, as old wrongs and fragile hopes intertwine in the lives of its inhabitants.