Not sure I have too much to say about this Chapter.
Does Esme really love Akka, bearing in mind what happens later?
"Please Akka, I need you!" But this was a lie, she knew, and the bewildered resentment in his eyes meant he knew as well. She was a prostitute, and prostitutes hardened themselves to men, all men, out of necessity. No. As much as she feared losing Achamian, what she feared more was the prospect of returning to her old life, to the endless succession of hunger, anguished glares, and spilt seed. She wanted the Schools! The Great Factions! She wanted Achamian, yes, but she wanted his life more.
Inrau's death is assumed to be suicide, but Psammatus doesn't seem convinced.
We find out what a 'race of lovers' can do, and that Akka has anticipated that people would come after Esme. We learn later on of his jealously of her other customers
That cry is mine! Mine!
. It is implied that the Consult 'love machine' is the Synthese from Part 1 - the flapping of wings - or the same sort of creature. The visit from the Consult gives Esme teh impetus she needs to leave Suman and go after Akka.
Akka is in empty Sudica. Just
sheep and half-buried stone
. Reminds me of Gondor, which was also notably underpopulated.
If Inrau had in fact committed suicide, then Achamian would be his murderer... Find the rope Akka, find it now
Bleak