The characters prepare for Lady Simtal’s new year’s party, which is, according to tradition, a masquerade. Against his wishes, Baruk agrees to take Rake as his guest to Lady Simtal’s masquerade. The Bridgeburners have been hired as guards for the event. Kruppe, Murillio, and Rallick will also attend as guests. Crokus plans to sneak in so that he can speak with Challice D’Arle.

Murillio realizes that Kruppe is the Eel. When he confronts Kruppe with his discovery, Kruppe casts a spell on him to make him temporarily forget.

Mammot wakes from his magically induced sleep, seeming healthy and full of energy.

Adjunct Lorn arrives in Darujhistan and finds the Bridgeburners. Whiskeyjack gives her a report, telling her that Sorry has been missing for days. As they discuss the plans for detonating the explosives around the city, he is intentionally condescending as a distraction, successfully keeping his true motives a secret.

The Jaghut is awake, and his name is revealed for the first time: Raest. He sets out to recover the Finnest. Moon’s Spawn’s five dragons attack the Jaghut. They nearly destroy his body, but he can take over a new body if he needs to.