A Gallisian Saluki minstrel angrily storms into the Black Rock Hostelry, demanding to see Piper. The minstrel, as it turns out, is known as "Minstrel Piper," and he claims that his name is being sullied by the idea of a Gallah vermite hunter going about and claiming to be "Piper" as well … so he demands that Piper change his name. Piper very meekly but very certainly refuses to do so, for, as he says, his name is all that he took with him when he left Gallis. The minstrel makes threats that the Bards' Guild will hear of this, then storms out … and several patrons of the bar then proceed to mock the Gallee in his absence, though Piper begs them to stop – as he thinks it terrible to be in conflict with a noble. April and Durog, nonetheless, are on Piper's side that he should be able to keep his name.

Cynthia, Torn-Ear's girlfriend, pays a visit to the hostelry later in the day, and asks Piper some questions about his "secret" project for Inquisitrix Faith. She requests that he see if he can get a copy of the maps that Piper's helping to make, as they might be useful to Torn-Ear. Piper, won over by Cynthia's charms, is more than eager to see if he can oblige – though April, the innkeeper's daughter, just looks disgusted at Cynthia's display.