Althea Vestrit returns to her family house, worried about the reception she'll get. However, when she arrives, she notes that the grounds look unkempt and there is a party being thrown. Through hearing gossip and talking with her mother, Ronica, Althea learns of the financial straits the Vestrits are in and the limited options going forward. 

Althea has performed well as first mate on board of Ophelia. However, as they approach Bingtown, she returns to her guise of a common crewmate and learns of the Chalcedean presence in her city. The Teniras and Althea discuss plans to rouse the Old Trader families and put aside differences to take back their city. And after their planning, Grag and Althea discuss their potential for a relationship.

Wintrow dives after a dead Kennit, while Vivacia tries to hold the pirate together. Kennit is nice for once, and Etta is commanded to be nice to Wintrow. Upon awakening, Wintrow awkwardly talks to Etta and then Vivacia. In this episode, we discuss the mechanics of Skill and the dynamics of Wintrow's relationship web. 

Davad Restart is a walking faux pas. He lucks his way into crashing the courting meeting with the Khuprus family and talks with Jani and Ronica. We learn more about Malta's feelings for Reyn and Reyn's depth of feeling for Malta. She still has some growing up to do. 

Keffria and Ronica are helping Malta get ready for Reyn Khuprus' visit to the Vestrit house. We dive into Malta's thought process about this event and Ronica's feelings about how this should go. A wrench gets thrown into the mix with Davad Restart showing up, uninvited. 

We are introduced to the oft-heard of Satrap Cosgo and his Companion of the Heart, Serilla. With the introduction of the other side of the Bingtown Trader complaints, we discuss Cosgo's inept leadership and his 'ally', Chalced. During the conversation, we learn more of Serilla's disdain for the Satrap and her passion for Bingtown. 

In this episode, we discuss Althea's attitude toward Grag and compare Brashen with him. We learn more of Brashen's background in Bingtown and more of Grag's intentions. The start of the trouble with Chalced begins, as well. 

We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Captain Kennit's leg surgery is about to begin, but Wintrow dares not start with out the medical chest. Etta employs some hard questioning and finds the young priest his supplies. Vivacia and Wintrow give what strength they can and link with Kennit, swiftly completing the procedure. In the aftermath, the waiting begins as Vivacia implores Wintrow to have faith and believe that the pirate will survive. 

In the first half of chapter 4, Wintrow and Vivacia are still reeling in the aftermath of the pirate takeover. Vivacia is looking to the future, while Wintrow is caught in between Vivacia, Etta, and Kennit's wishes. He dreads the upcoming surgery. Brashen is also put into a dilemma of morality as he slides further into piracy. 

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.