After Cress, Wintrow has been shunned by the Vivacia's crew for cowardice. He's lived in misery until the extent of his recent injury forces him to come to terms with losing a finger. He confronts Kyle to get it amputated, and he puts on a strong display for the crew, proving he is not a coward or afraid of pain. Meanwhile, in Bingtown, Paragon is getting introduced to our favorite woodworker, Amber. 

Luke and Emma dive into Malta Vestrit's character for the first time. We catch up with her in the midst of a plan to get to the Liveship Trader Harvest Ball all on her own, with her own gown. As a 12 year old, she definitely has everything figured out and doesn't lie, get caught, and understands what everything she's doing implies. Full of frustration, we talk about Bingtown society, the role of women, and parallels with Althea. 

Content Warning: We briefly discuss the implied SA of Etta that happens near the end of this chapter. 

In this episode, Althea finds out she is good at something, but is still in constant danger of being discovered. Vivacia and Wintrow's bond grows closer as each of them are learning from the other. Wintrow is also starting to become closer to the crew, until a fateful trip onshore with a bear tamer puts a damper on those relationships. 

Some time has passed and we catch up with Brashen and Althea on the Reaper, a slaughter ship. Althea is masquerading as Athel, the ship's boy, while Brashen is eaten up with guilt and worry that she will be discovered. Meanwhile, Wintrow is trying to fit in with the crew and make a new friend in Mild onboard the Vivacia. 

The Vivacia sails soon and Wintrow has a hard time making friends or fitting in with the crew. Meanwhile, Althea is on a mission to collect witnesses against Kyle for her future plans. She visits Wintrow and her mother to gather those promises of help. However, Ronica is left wanting to discuss more as she tries to collect the strands of the Vestrit family left adrift by Keffria and, more importantly, Kyle while juggling the Rain Wild Trader family they are indebted to, the Festrews. 

Kennit lucks his way into starting his kingdom in the small slave-refuge, pirate village of Askew. He earns loyalty and adoration for reasons he can't even comprehend. Meanwhile, Keffria is once again rebuffed by Kyle in conversation and ridiculed for presuming she can help raise their kids. She desperately tries to convince herself that Kyle still means well and that he's a good man. 

We dive into Wintrow's story and perspective as he dines with his father, Kyle. Captain Haven feels as though his son has learned his lesson and will bend to his wishes, but he and Wintrow instead butt heads, once again. Wintrow disappoints  his father again, and is relegated to being the ship's boy. Meanwhile, Ronica visits with Vivacia after reading the note Althea sent to the Vestrit house. Mainly, they discuss their worry for Althea and Ronica hopes to talk with her again, hinting that they're not as opposed as it may seem. 

We start this episode discussing Brashen's guilt for his harsh advice to Althea as well as misguided thoughts. Althea meanwhile was up early, preparing to live on her own and gathering essentials. She finds herself in front of Amber's shop and finally has a face-to-face discussion with the enigmatic woodcarver that is familiarly opaque with references to fate. 

Our favorite insane Liveship, Paragon, is surprised to find Althea approach him. After some discussion with him, Althea finds a place to hunker down on board for the night and wait for Brashen, who comes back to sleep on board, as well. Meanwhile, Kennit and Sorcor have failed to catch a liveship, but have caught wind of their first slaver to attack.