Jynx, Brishen and Last-Daughter, having come through the crystal gateway from Morpheus, land in the Gateway Tower on Sinai. There, they find several of the spiked-helmet soldiers that they earlier saw in the Abaddon Gateway Window. The soldiers do not seem to be happy, but there is a language barrier that prevents finding out just why.

Jynx and Brishen prepare for an escape or a fight, but they are roughly ushered out of the Tower, where they find Titanians shoveling up big piles of dirt, and a cluster of tents pitched by nomad traders of the Himaat. They are welcomed by Rajiim, one of the Khattan desert traders, and offered hospitality in his tent. It would appear that these strange Abaddonians are trading iron – worth quite a bit on Sinai – for mere dirt.

So, our heroes stay at the tent of Rajiim for some time, watching the odd trading going on, until a caravan comes through the gateway, including a couple of black Vartans, and some Korv starts stirring up the Titanians…