Viv ventures into Murk's fortress town and arrives unannounced at Highlark's surgery, hoping to speed her recovery with another callis oil treatment. Highlark, dressed neatly and surprised by her visit, dismisses her request as misguided but ushers her in. Viv is struck by the elf's office, lined with pristine books, and she defends Fern's shop when Highlark dismisses it as shabby. He examines her wound, finds it healing well, and tests her mobility.

Noticing she is reading Heart's Blade, Highlark expresses interest in Russa Tensiger's work and asks Viv to share her thoughts at her next visit in a week. He swaps her crutch for a walking staff, granting her significantly improved mobility.

Free to explore, Viv buys a single large sandal from a cobbler to protect her foot, then wanders Murk's crowded market street. A bounty board reminds her she's unfit for work. Suddenly, her instincts flare: she spots a pale, hooded figure in a gray cloak watching her from a courtyard before vanishing into the crowd. The encounter unsettles her, and she instinctively reaches for her absent saber.

Passing through the gate, Viv exchanges a tense, challenging look with Iridia the tapenti Gatewarden. Outside the walls, she regrets leaving her sword behind. On her way back to The Perch, Maylee the dwarven baker emerges from Sea-Song Bakery, teasing her for not returning, and presses a sack of nut-and-sugar muffins into her hands. Maylee's parting wink—"Seems like the Eight granted you a second chance"—leaves Viv puzzled but delighted as she devours a muffin.