Carl examines the dead elf and learns that Princess Donut got the kill credit on Vicente, a level 16 city elf. Vicente’s loot includes a Meat Hooks scroll, which explains why Mongo rushed into the alley, and a strange black uniform shirt marked 201st Security Group – Magical Ops. Carl and Donut then search GumGum’s body and find a gate pass and a bloodstained mysterious letter. Donut argues that GumGum was likely murdered because she involved them in the quest, and Carl, forced to admit that GumGum was a real living victim inside a fake story, agrees they cannot simply walk away.

Back at the inn, Mordecai arrives drunk and has Carl brew Hair of the Dog potions, letting Carl reach level three in alchemy and trade extra potions to Fitz for free lodging. Donut opens her fan box first and receives a framed photo of Bea sitting with her ex, but instead of being upset, Carl realizes he is finally over her. Carl’s own fan box contains a xistera, a jai-alai scoop that his hobby potion knowledge lets him understand immediately. After testing it by hurling oranges at the saferoom door, Carl realizes the weapon is far better than his slingshot and starts thinking about using it with bombs, poison bags, and better ammunition.

When Carl shows Mordecai Vicente’s shirt, Mordecai identifies the 201st Security Group as a city-elf militia rather than a real army. He explains that city elves are conspiracy-obsessed outcasts who believe the skyfowl are angels and that all earthbound races are driven to destroy them. According to Mordecai, the group is usually treated as a joke, but its sudden violence makes it relevant to GumGum’s case. Donut formally declares that she, Carl, and Mongo are going to finish the quest, and Mordecai reluctantly accepts that they are already entangled in it.

Carl reviews the evidence with Donut and Mordecai. The gate pass shows that Magistrate Featherfall had officially allowed GumGum to move corpses through town, and Mordecai identifies the mysterious letter’s script as necroscript, suggesting undead magic and possibly a lich behind the krasue. Prompted by Donut’s questioning, Fitz reveals that GumGum had seen krasue before while checking on the women who fell from the sky. He says GumGum cared because her own mother, a prostitute, died alone after crawling home wounded, and he adds that Featherfall is a black cleric who should have been able to deal with undead but instead only gave GumGum permission to handle the bodies.

With Featherfall now looking suspicious, Carl decides they should visit the magistrate before their next interview. That night, Donut places Bea’s picture by her bed, while Carl studies the strange symbols on the letter instead of reading. Donut makes Carl promise not to let her die alone the way GumGum and GumGum’s mother did, and Carl promises they will make whoever is responsible pay. A heavy impact hits the inn roof, and by morning they discover another twisted, naked prostitute in the alley, with the bloodless message No, you won't. carved into her back.