Viv leaves The Perch and surveys Murk: a sleepy fortified coastal town with bleached clapboard shops, piers, and dunes. A wave of resentment hits her—she suspects Rackam abandoned her under a convenient pretense and won't return. She forces the feeling down and sets out to explore, hobbling on her crutch down the slight slope toward the shopfronts.

She passes shuttered businesses, a mildewed bookshop called Thistleburr Booksellers, a sail-mender's, a junk shop, and the lively Sea-Song Bakery, where the smells tempt her, but she's left her wallet behind. Determined to keep her body sharp despite her injuries, she stops at a hitching post and does pull-ups until her arms shake.

An orc named Pitts, who hauls firewood, passes her again and remarks on her quick return to activity, mentioning she had nearly strangled Highlark, the surgeon, on arrival. Pitts gives only his name and moves on, mildly annoying Viv with his indifference. She retreats into the dunes to attempt sword forms, but her injured leg fails her and she tumbles down the dune in a humiliating spill.

Trudging back uphill toward The Perch, Viv is intercepted by a tapenti Gatewarden—a powerfully built, serpentine-eyed officer—who witnessed her failed practice. The Gatewarden mocks her as a "little girl," warns her to keep her sword sheathed and stay in her room, and threatens to jail her if she causes any trouble during her convalescence. Viv barely contains her fury.

Left seething and humiliated, Viv resolves that if Rackam doesn't return soon, she'll leave Murk to find him herself before she does something she'll regret.