Lin waits outside the Sault for Kel in intermittent rain. Mariam initially keeps Lin company, excited to glimpse the Prince’s cousin, but Mariam panics when a Malgasi carriage bearing the wolf blazon of the vamberj passes by. Remembering the soldiers she escaped, Mariam flees back into the Sault, leaving Lin worried but unable to abandon the meeting with Kel.

Kel arrives in the Marivent carriage, and Lin asks him to take her to the Maze because Ashkari women are not safe or legally permitted there after sunset. During the ride, Lin explains that the Ragpicker King wants her to find a magic book and has offered access to the Black Mansion’s equipment in exchange, since the Sault restricts women from medical apparatus. Kel and Lin also discuss Antonetta, the Ashkar term for non-Ashkar, and Kel’s connection to Andreyen.

Inside the Maze, Lin observes poverty, open lawlessness, drugs, sex work, and desperation unlike what she knows in the Sault. Kel guides her through Arsenal Road, and their conversation grows more personal: Kel explains that Andreyen wants him to spy on the Charter Families, but Kel refuses to betray Conor. Kel reveals that when he was a child and nearly discarded as Sword Catcher after breaking his leg, Conor threatened to break his own leg if Kel were sent away, showing the deep loyalty behind Kel’s refusal.

At the Maze market, Lin searches through magical trinkets, dubious spells, and old books. She discovers several of Petrov’s red-bound volumes, but not Qasmuna’s book with the rayed sun on its spine. A dealer admits that the Qasmuna volume was already bought by another customer, then offers a rare historical book, Tales of the Sorcerer-Kings, which mentions Qasmuna; Kel dismisses it as overpriced and unhelpful. Lin finally admits to Kel that her hidden reason for seeking the book is to save a dying friend.

Lin then spots Oren Kandel, an Ashkar man who could report her to the Maharam for being in the Maze. To hide Lin’s face, Kel pulls Lin close and kisses her, convincing the crowd they are only lovers and allowing Oren to pass without recognizing her. Lin is shaken by the kiss but grateful, and Kel apologizes for the sudden tactic.

Before Lin and Kel can pursue the buyer of Qasmuna’s book, Jerrod appears and says Prosper Beck will see Kel immediately. Jerrod refuses to let Lin accompany them or allow Kel to escort Lin back himself, but returns with a light carriage and a chalk-fingered female driver to take Lin to the Sault. Lin accepts, exhausted and worried for Mariam, while Kel leaves to meet Beck and Lin reflects that every thread seems to lead back to the Ragpicker King’s web.