Guin and the others run into trouble on the Garm's Head when they are double crossed by the ship's captain. Things get worse when a storm damages the ship and washes Guin overboard leaving Istavan, Suni, and the twins to fend for themselves against the ship's crew. Meanwhile, Astrias, arriving in Crystal, and encounters the sorcerer Valerius, who uses his magic to get past the guarded gate. Remus sprays oil on the ship's crew, demanding to transport him and the others safely to Argos, lest they be burned into flames. Rigea visits Norisse to discuss her current position to be a double agent as a soldier of the Mongauli black knights.