Piper and Torn-Ear follow a trail through Darkside, trying to find Machkat's lair. On the way there, they run into some Kavis who seem inclined toward violence to deal with the interlopers, but the tense confrontation ends without a fight, as Torn-Ear and Piper leave. Torn-Ear sends Piper off to find his "friend", Investigator Faith, to let her know that if she's going to take any action against Machkat, tonight is the night. Piper goes to the Temple, and meets with Investigator Faith, letting her know the whereabouts of Machkat's hideout. They head into the sewers – with the help of some Zelaks – to find Machkat's abode. There, they find some stolen goods, but no Machkat. They then work their way to the hideout of the Blood Kings, where a confrontation with Kavi thugs results in some bloodshed, and Machkat and the leader of the Blood Kings escape. Piper, however, is hot on the trail of Machkat, and with the help of a Zelak guard, corners him, whereupon the criminal Gallah surrenders.