Under threatening skies, Viv makes a brief stop at Thistleburr, finding Fern busy with the wrapped book bundles. She then meets Maylee for a planned beach walk, but Viv's thoughts repeatedly return to the greatsword in her room. Maylee notices her distraction, and Viv feels guilty—though not enough to stop her from hurrying back to The Perch the moment they part.

Behind the inn, Viv practices forms with the greatsword. Despite her not-yet-healed leg, the weapon feels natural in her hands, and she experiences a fierce, joyful sense of purpose, feeling drawn back toward her old life with the Ravens.

The next morning, Viv arrives at Thistleburr for Fern's boardwalk sale to find Pitts setting up trestle tables. Pitts has agreed to help in exchange for items in a future shipment and recites a line of poetry to Viv. Fern brings out a chalk sandwich board advertising the 'mystery book sale,' and Pitts hauls it down to the beach to attract customers from the arriving passenger ship.

The frigate docks near noon, and an anxious hour passes with no customers. Just as Fern despairs, a stone-fey couple approaches. Viv vouches for Fern's curation, and the lady cheerfully buys a bundle to fend off boredom on her upcoming voyage. A dwarf joins them at the table, and as Fern chats with the lady, Viv engages the dwarf, momentarily setting aside thoughts of swords, necromancers, and Rackam as the sale gains momentum.