Carl tells Princess Donut and Mordecai about his recent encounter, but Donut quickly turns the conversation to her fan campaign and the Princess Posse. Carl worries about the dog-targeting movement and its money, while Mordecai shifts the discussion to the legal threat Carl heard about and mentions that he once testified against Odette in her trial.

The group then opens their reward boxes. Carl's Gold Tyrant Box gives him a small amethyst that boosts dexterity, while Donut receives a new gold box from the Apothecary. Carl's Gold Benefactor Box from the Plenty contains a goat-head jacket patch, and Donut's Apothecary box contains an enchanted silver bracelet. Mordecai notes that the prizes make it obvious the Apothecary and the Plenty are coordinating their sponsorship rewards.

When Carl and Donut inspect the items, they discover that both the patch and the bracelet provide protection against vampirism and lycanthropy and increase magical damage against sapient undead. Carl realizes the goat symbol matches Prepotente's tattoo, and Mordecai warns that the sponsors likely know about a threat Carl does not yet understand. This strongly suggests that upcoming danger may involve vampires, were-creatures, or other undead enemies.

Carl then opens a second benefactor box from the Apothecary and finds two papers: a potion recipe and a drawing of Mongo. Mordecai is thrilled because the recipe solves a brewing problem he has chased for many cycles. The potion is Charm Animal, but it must be tailored to a specific creature and requires a large amount of that animal's blood.

When Carl and Mordecai realize Mongo's blood is the missing ingredient, Donut refuses immediately. Carl argues that it is only blood and that Mongo could be healed afterward, but Donut sees the plan as a betrayal of Mongo's trust and shields him from them. Before the argument can go further, Carl receives an urgent message from Miriam Dom, who says she is trapped near Prepotente Town Four and will die at dawn if Carl does not reach her in time.