Doing research in the airship library, Ward learns that Belxari is the goddess of bonds, credited with destroying the archlich Acererak.

While Luna, Eck, and Mira are shopping, a pile of clothing with legs bursts through the doorway. Luna moves to help the pile of clothing, but they only end up tripping. The legs, attached to Eri Pyxis, gives Cici a thumbs up, confirming that they are okay. Beck updates Cici on Dorean's presence and the plans for the night. Cici says that the fabric purchase wasn't as bad as normal, but still incredibly expensive.

Dorean drops the food off at with Ward off at the Stitch residence, Vera at an armory she is familiar with, then goes to the airship to retrieve Merely and Invicta.

Dorean leaves Vera at Oria Ta'Chol, an armory on the edge of town. The person behind the desk, a mousling, enthusiastically shows Vera their wares, until they realize that there will need to be modifications made for Vera. They retrieve the owner of the shop—a ten foot tall, super ripped ogre. He does some maths and measurements and offers them a few options, of which Vera chooses mithril half plate. He offers to enchant it; they need to come by the next day while he thinks on a potential enchantment for it.

Beck and Eri go with Mira, Luna, and Eck to the house. Beck explains that Merely is skittish, so they need to "be cool" to not freak her out. They are confused why they are being informed of this, but agrees. Ward is doing people watching, trying to figure out how the town is doing, finding that the town seems to be outgrowing its capacity, resulting in high prices and overcrowding. He is dropped off at the Stitch home to help Cici prepare dinner, talking to her about town. He suggests that they should expand into making clothes for pixies, as it would take less material. He contemplates ordering an outfit for Modrod.

Everyone convenes at the Stitch household. The house is larger than necessary for two people, a farmhouse that has not been used as a farm in a long time. Beck's group arrives to find Ward and Cici singing and making music while cooking. Vera arrives soon after, followed shortly by Dorean, Merely, and Invicta; Invicta is dressed in an attempt to give a good impression, while Merely is intrigued by the concept of a biological family. Luna and Dorean talk to Eri, who is delighted to see Dorean again. Luna realizes that they are trying very hard to get Dorean's approval, at which they are succeeding. Eri has been trying to help with the shop as much as possible. They introduced them to the smuggler Sly, from whom they had purchased their material earlier that day. Madame Argosia owns the storage warehouses the goods merchants have to use, so she has a chokehold on the movement of goods in the city. She is taking over as many of the dungeon-related businesses as possible, but it is clear that the quality of her stores is lacking. The only warehouse not owned by her is the one Sly operates out of. Invicta questions Eri about the potential for the Orologia vials, which Eri does not have any knowledge of.

After supper, Giermund arrives with a small package. He has needles for Beck made of some of the mithril from the pans being turned into Vera's armor. He is clearly sweet on her, though Beck is entirely oblivious to this. Cici instructs Merely to retrieve a Giermund-sized chair, and Dorean sets out some pie for him, forcing him to accept their invitation to join them. Upon realizing that Vera is one of Dorean's friends, he offers to do the enchanting for free, despite their protests.

Eri has an encyclopedic knowledge of the bars, taverns, and other places to go for alcohol. Giermund offers what Beck describes as an old man bar. Some time after Giermund leaves, while Eri is sharing rumors of dragons in the area and that one of Giermund's regulars is a dragon, Ward creates an illusory Modrod for Beck and Cici to plan clothes for. Ward has some supply contacts that didn't get taken in the Shattering, but they are in the Duke's territory and in the Spring Kingdom, neither of which are particularly accessible to him.

Dorean asks Cici what she should wear to the wedding. Cici says that she would like Dorean to be her knight of honor. Cici wishes that Liz was able to attend, prompting Dorean to tell her and Beck about seeing Liz. Ward is working on a way to travel between shards, so she's trying to find a way to reach her. Cici jokingly tells her she only has a few months to get it worked out so Liz can be at the wedding.

Vera, Merely, and Eck make a blanket fort to sleep in, Cici puts Luna and Mira in Liz's room, Dorean has her old room, and Ward spends the night in Eri's spare bedroom. Ward meets Princess, Eri's cat.

Introduced

• Twitch - mousling armorer
• Giermund - ogre armorer
• Warren - unseen armorer

Returning

• Beck
• Cici
• Eri "Thumbs" Pyxis
• Merely
• Invicta

Mentioned

• Belxari
• Madame Abigail Argosia
• Liz
• Phaeddic "Sly" Sligh

• 1875gp (half paid up front for mithril half plate for Vera from Giermund)