His nemesis was Atrus who helped the people of Mechanical against the Black Ships and he had forbidden the mention of his name. When their ship captured the sons of Atrus, Sirrus and Achenar, they said that they were coming with a proposal. Sirrus claimed that he would give him the means to extend his dominance, in exchange for safe passage. Seeing two warriors in the brothers, the Cardinal not only agreed but offered them to join the Black Ships. He showed them around the ship (the foundries, the gardens and the workshops) and then had them dine with him fish from a captured Camderite trawler.