After surviving the flight of The Wandering Sylph, the Caroban expedition (along with its guests: Tasha, the Karnors and the Lapis) wastes little time in getting to the gateway, and through to Abaddon.

Once everyone has recovered from the trip, they head out into the nearly-finished life dome and across the dangerous terrain to the camp set up just outside of it, where the mages of Ra Shrikendune's group have dug in.

After arguing with Ra for a bit, Latania and the others enter the main tent to see what has the Zerda so worked up: plant-based copies of Nagas, laid out for dissection. Ra claims this is proof of involvement by the Exile he's hunting, but Latania shuts him down and tells him to go report back to the Guild so she can clean up the political mess he's caused.

Meadow, Caravelli and Zerachial start examining the bodies, while Tasha discusses their next course of action.