Tor'in gathers together Zarin as a fellow agent of the Vigilants, plus Alcor and Sendara to investigate the scene of the murder of Niman Agerson. Zarin tries briefly to flirt with Sendara, but is not so much rebuked as much as Sendara is completely unaware of his attempt. Zarin leads the group to Renatus Hall on the campus of Pallida University, home to the School of Arcane Theory and Application.
Upon arriving, they locate Niman's workshop from the previous night. Warden Tanikus, a local Vigilant, and Albania Adventa, a friend of Niman, are already present. Sendara employs a spell to detect signs of the arcane. The basement workshop exudes magic, making it challenging to pinpoint specific details. However, she discerns that the recently cast arcane circle on the floor stands out amidst the other magical traces in the room.
Warden Tanikus expresses surprise at the additional Vigilant assistance and admits his uncertainty about whether Niman's death was foul play or an accident. Acknowledging his limited expertise in magic, he explains that the Imperial Watch would typically handle University matters, but they are currently stretched thin. Learning that Niman's dorm room remains uninvestigated, Sendara instructs Alcor to assist Warden Tanikus. Alcor readily agrees, but Tor'in interjects, delaying him until Alcor seeks permission.
Sendara briefly interrogates Albania about her connection to Niman. Albania reveals she studies theoretical thaumaturgy, sharing similar academic interests with Niman. She has family in the city, including parents and a sister. Zarin intervenes, offering Albania a scented handkerchief and posing questions more delicately. They discover that Niman's work was purely theoretical, focusing on research. He had not yet applied any of his findings but was enthusiastic about a method to extract more power from Arcstone, albeit with a highly technical description involving fractals and dimensional space.
Albania mentions that many students held a negative opinion of Niman. Initially, the disdain stemmed from his status as a poor out-of-town student and mockery of his limp. However, when he demonstrated superior intelligence, their animosity increased. Thelian Blackthorn emerges as a prominent figure among these students, although Albania emphasizes that her intent is not to implicate anyone.
When asked about access to Arcstone, she says that students only get a few chips at most for research. Larger pieces are reserved for faculty and more advanced students. Sendara and Tor'in decide to join Alcor, and Zarin says he would remain behind to talk to Albania.
Meanwhile, Amos, Ren, and Meriel head tor Rattlestone, aiming to meet the Hollow Men again at the Wandering Gull tavern. Captain Dugald Hollow assigns a task: helping a mixed Elf-Orc family relocate from Scorpion territory due to fear of retaliation. Captain Hollow is not happy with current events in Rattlestone. Although a turf war like the one between the Scorpions and Hammerfall can be good for business in some ways, it hurts the people of the neighborhood.
Amos decides to seek out an old friend of the family, Michael Roland, who worked the city sewers years before. He gets a map of Rattlestone sewers, although they aren't as large or extensive as the sewers beneath the center of the city. Meriel is able to acquire a set of costume Keeper robes from the Gilded Stage, and Ren's keen eye for detail ensures they are near perfect. After Amos is able to convince someone to loan a cart to them, they make their way to Rattlestone.
Their convincing costumes prevents any trouble from the Scorpions, and they successfully convey good intentions to Flaga and Ibb'ia, the Elf-Orc family. With their two young sons, they hastily return to the Wandering Gull, where Flaga reunites with Vorkur kin. While there, Ren overhears them talking about the Scorpions' leader, Elmah'ti Tak'li, translating to "thousand cuts" in Elvish. Rumors have circulated about his powers, prompting Amos, Ren, and Meriel to wonder if it's connected to Artellus or The Solari.