Viv stays watchful after her night in jail, but no gray-cloaked attackers reappear. Foot traffic at Thistleburr Booksellers steadily increases, possibly thanks to the fresh paint and tidied interior. Gallina drops in regularly, ostensibly for Potroast. Viv's leg heals during the quieter days, even earning grudging approval from Highlark, but her restlessness grows as she worries the Ravens may not return for her, fearing Rackam might be glad to be rid of a reckless orc.

Viv finishes Sea of Passion and brings it back to Fern, who reveals the author, Zelia Greatstrider, lives on a nearby family estate. Fern teases Viv into asking for more of her books, satisfied to have hooked another reader. Their conversation is interrupted when Pitts shyly enters the shop, holding up his orange poetry book and asking Fern if she has another like it.

Later at The Perch, Maylee surprises Viv by joining her for dinner. Out of her bakery, Maylee reveals she once worked as a mercenary, swinging a mace, before choosing the quieter, better-fed life of baking. Viv, feeling her own itch to return to adventuring, struggles to understand the contentment.

After they eat, Maylee turns serious and tells Viv directly that she likes her, having noticed Viv's careful gentleness in the bakery line and confirmed her impression after speaking with Fern. Acknowledging that Viv will leave in a few weeks, Maylee asks plainly if Viv thinks they should get to know each other. Viv agrees, recognizing it as a truth that may hurt them both later.