Outside the Three Thieves, Jynx and Eve, still eluding Blossom after their escape from the Missing Shekel, are wandering the streets at night. In a hole that opens into the sewer system, Arkold has been deposited by some thugs, and his moans attract the attention of Jynx and Eve, along with some other passersby – Gwyneth, a winged horse (a Vartan-Rhian cross), and Bassai (a Naga archaeologist), and the Naga's slave, Tekki. When asked to get a light source, Eve bounds into the inn … and comes back out with the Champion of Roses in tow. (Either Eve's or Jynx's bizarre luck is surely at work here.) Arkold is eventually extracted, and the pieces of the puzzle regarding Eve's abduction begin to fall together. Inside the inn, the Champion of Roses is not about to let Jynx just wander off, and confronts him … as Blossom and the rest of the Magenta Lance come in, having tracked him down. Blossom is prepared to "dispose" of Jynx right there, but halts at the sight of her superior, returned from a journey. The Champion of Roses wordlessly questions those present, and comes to her conclusion … by striking Blossom and leaving Jynx with a sword to deliver the final punishment. Jynx instead leaves, taking Eve with him … Meanwhile, Envoy, who has been watching secretly, comes forward with a proposal for the fallen Khatta knight