Still angry from her run-in with the Gatewarden and unwilling to face her empty room, Viv heads toward Thistleburr Booksellers. On the way, the rotten plank outside the shop cracks under her crutch, nearly toppling her. She enters the dim, cluttered shop and accidentally knocks over several precarious stacks of books with her saber.

A small, owl-like guard creature called Potroast charges her, barking. Its owner, a foul-mouthed rattkin named Fern, hurries out, scolds the animal, and gives up restacking the books with a sigh. Viv and Fern share a laugh over their mutual stereotypes, exchange names, and Fern insists Viv buy a book to make amends.

Without her wallet, Viv accepts credit. Fern sizes her up and recommends Ten Links in the Chain by R. Geneviss, a tale of jailbreaks, swordfights, and curses. Viv agrees to return tomorrow with twenty bits and reluctantly mentions the broken plank, prompting more colorful cursing from Fern.

Viv hurries back to The Perch as a sudden storm breaks. The inn is now bustling with sea-fey and human patrons. She takes a back table, orders food and drinks on credit through the half-elf serving boy, and broods about Rackam and the Ravens, wondering if they are safe and whether she has been left behind.

Opening the book to escape her thoughts, Viv is immediately hooked by its grisly opening chapter. She reads through her meal without noticing, asks for a lantern when the light dims, and loses herself completely in the story, transported away from her injury, isolation, and resentment.