Closing in on the end of Mad Ship, Reyn and Selden struggle to survive while Tintaglia hatches in the sunlight. She renews hope in Reyn and escapes. Malta struggles on the river and Tintaglia makes a decision about her short-lived friends. 

We catch up with the crew of the Paragon in Captain Brashen's quarters. Althea, Amber, and Lavoy are brought on board for the next part of their journey with some slight disagreements. Tension between Amber and Lavoy rises with Brashen making some hard decisions. Althea realizes that he truly has what it takes to be a great captain. 

Keffria wakes up to some quakes in Trehaug. Malta is missing and Jani can't comfort Keffria before everyone is needed to help excavate the trapped workers. Reyn beelines for the Crowned Rooster Chamber and encounters Selden. They're trapped and Reyn is hopeless, thinking Malta is dead. He tries to free Tintaglia. Malta, in the meantime, is leading Cosgo and Kekki through the city. She resists getting drowned in memories and eventually escapes but is stranded in the middle of the Rain Wild River. 

Drawn forward into the Elderling city, Malta sees memories and is led to the Rooster Chamber where she meets Tintaglia. Jani is concerned for her son Reyn as he is drunkenly shouting about Malta being in danger. Malta makes a deal with a dragon, starts to free her, but has to run from a quake. 

Malta has been on bed rest for a while, recovering from the attack on Davad Restart's carriage. Reyn stops by and they make strides in their relationship. Meanwhile, amidst the Rain Wild Trader Council, Keffria Vestrit offers herself for a daring plan. 

Wintrow has freed She Who Remembers but doesn't escape unscathed. He is covered by serpent slime and makes a connection with her. Kennit and Etta have an encounter with the Others and try to beat them to Wintrow's side. They fight their way off the island and are rescued by the serpent and Vivacia. 

Months have passed, and in that time, Divvytown is starting to be rebuilt and Vivacia has sailed to Other Island. Kennit has brought Wintrow and Etta to the Island in order to get Wintrow's fortune. Instead, Wintrow finds She Who Remembers and attempts to free her. 

Content Warning: From 26:40-40 minutes, we discuss attempted SA.

The Presentation Ball is off to a brilliant, if lonely, start for Malta. However, Davad introduces her to Satrap Cosgo, Reyn appears, and even Cerwin Trell stops by. There is non-stop chaos. She shares some dances but argues with Reyn and they go their separate ways. Serilla makes her power play and trouble seems to be brewing in Bingtown. The Vestrits leave early but highwaymen waylay them on the road back home. 

Everyone is getting ready for the Trader's Ball. Keffria tries to get an exhausted Malta excited while her daughter is having an identity crisis. Reyn is preparing to hide Grag's identity as a Rain Wild Trader, Serilla is preparing herself to stay in Bingtown long term, and Davad plans to introduce Malta to Satrap Cosgo to secure his future.