The aftermath of the successful book sale leaves Thistleburr empty, since Fern has effectively saturated Murk's reading population. With the next shipment days away and customers nonexistent, Fern slumps back into discouragement. Viv, restless and itching to train with her greatsword, redirects her energy into convincing Fern to use the lull to refurbish the shop. Satchel, who reads books at a magical pace by absorbing entire pages at once, eagerly volunteers to help.

Viv, Fern, Maylee, and Potroast venture into the walled city of Murk. They visit a chandler's for a replacement chimney for the cracked hurricane lamp, then the gnome brothers' estate furniture lot, where they pick out a carpet, chairs, vases, gull bookends, a painting, and a table that Fern grows quietly excited about. Maylee haggles aggressively on their behalf, and Viv arranges delivery and buys white paint to repaint the shop.

Viv treats them to dinner and drinks at a tavern. Maylee holds Viv's hand, both silently aware that Viv's eventual departure looms but choosing to ignore it. Over many drinks, Fern entertains them with a raucous story about an "assless Gatewarden" accusing her of grabbing him. The chapter ends with warm camaraderie, a tipsy Fern toasting the pair as "cute," and Viv exchanging a charged, affectionate moment with Maylee.