Jani Khuprus wanders the ruins of a dark Elderling city ruin. She finds her son Reyn, and they discuss the history and merits of the wizardwood logs while he trails his fingers on the last remaining log. Jani is able to distract her son with thoughts of Malta, but Tintaglia waits still. 

We catch up with Wintrow and Vivacia, trying to acclimate to the change of ownership. Vivacia is looking ahead to the new direction her life is going, while Wintrow still focuses inwards and his own moral dilemmas and his herculean task of healing Kennit's leg. Kennit is focused on keeping control of his life where he can, but his future is looking bleak. 

We dive into Paragon's state of mind, trying to process the fact that his family, the Ludlucks, want to sell him. He desperately tries to ignore Amber as she tells him, but ultimately he deals with the truth. Hearing his potential end as chopped up Wizardwood, Paragon is able to convince Amber to burn him instead. Of course, Amber is going to try and find a way out of that path, if possible. 

We rejoin Maulkin, Shreever, and Sessurea in the fight to survive and find She Who Remembers. We answer some fan questions as usual at the end and look to the future of this trilogy.

Maulkin's tangle leaves us on a despondent note, fearing all the serpents will become animals. We wrap up Ship of Magic with a discussion of our favorite characters and scenes. 

Wintrow and Vivacia are tired after the storm. They can only watch and comfort each other while the pirates from the Marietta, under Captain Kennit's command, swarm aboard and take over. Wintrow confronts the pirates and makes a deal: save Kennit's life and Wintrow saves himself and his father, Kyle Haven. Vivacia and Etta don't see eye to eye, but Kennit works his wiles and starts to seduce the liveship to his side. 

Athel, the ship's boy, has been called before Captain Tenira while the rest of the crew is on shore for leave. Ophelia has revealed Althea's secrets and the Teniras explain a plan for her to return to Bingtown as herself. Brashen, in the first port that Springeve stopped at, finds himself drinking with an old ship mate. Old memories Brashen wants buried are brought up and he contrives to leave the sailor behind. 

The storm rages on and Wintrow is trying to wrestle with the morality of his situation. He and Vivacia are struggling to gain control on deck and gain control of the ship so everyone doesn't die. He asks for his father, Kyle, to help guide him through the night. Kennit, Sorcor, and Etta close in on their prey. 

Onboard the Vivacia, Wintrow is submerged below decks with the slaves. He does his best to tend to their needs and meets a priest-turned-slave, Sa'Adar. Vivacia is still morose and Gantry is still determined to help her in any way he can. That leads him below with Wintrow to help bring a dying slave on deck. Sa'Adar takes advantage of the situation and a rebellion ensues. Meanwhile, Kennit insists upon staying above to help Sorcor now that his prey is in sight. 

Althea has been aboard the Ophelia for a few days doing various tasks but also gambling with the figurehead. Ophelia figures out Althea's secrets and wins their game to get more information. Althea lays it all bare, learns about Liveship society, and leaves feeling hopeful to either get back Vivacia or stay aboard the Tenira's ship.