After leaving the Titanian spaceship, Tasha and the others see that some of the refugees have moved on. Also, the Mages are circulating except for two Rhians that are hurrying off since the Naga don't appear to like them. Latania is in the middle, looking exasperated.

They all meet up, and learn that the Naga of Abaddon are afraid of horses, and Rhians are close enough that they won't let them get near. This is a problem because Latania no longer has stretcher bearers, and needs to transport a patient in critical condition.

Once the Mage's abrasiveness is dealt with, Tasha if flying back to Camp Caroban to tell Mage Sylene to prepare for a patient suffering from advanced Bloodroot.

The Lapis get the ill snake onto a stretcher, and are careful not to touch the pulsing fungal mass on her chest after Latania warns that it could 'go off' in an explosion of spores that will infect them all.

At camp, Tasha relays her message and Mage Sylene – a large, oddly colored Naga – starts getting things ready. She sends Tasha out to fetch Mage Hector, a Water Mage.

Tasha finds the odd little Mage out by an under-construction well, and gets him back just in time as the others start to arrive with the patient.

Things are tense, as Spring Meadow has to petrify the fungus so that it won't explode, and a dome of air-magic acts as a quarantine barrier. But the fungus is petrified and Dr. Caravelli steps in to cut it out.

After a few hours of relaxing and running errands, the group gets the message that a representative of the Expedition will meet them at the train station, so they catch a ride on an outbound wagon and arrive at the train.

A human military officer meets them, and quickly verifies Captain Akkers' identity. He welcomes the Karnors home, and the group is off to New Zion.