Arkold is brought before S'Lezan Slyboots, the Darkside crimeboss, and gently admonished for working freelance. After agreeing to work for 'the family', the young noble is sent to remind Achimed the Glove of an unpaid debt. Unknown to Arkold, none of the previous collection agents were ever seen again. It soon becomes apparent what happened to them though, as Arkold is introduced to Achimed's new 'partner', Vorgulremik (call me Remy) the dragon. Arkold sees profit in being aligned with a dragon, and agrees to bring S'Lezan around for a private chat. After a bit of prevarication, which S'Lezan sees right through, the rat finally agrees to see the dragon. Despite some mutual antipathies, all agree that the dragon's outlined plan for manipulating Rephidim's trade is viable, and events are set into motion…