Galand, a spotted Khatta with an impossibly long tail, meets up with the Astromancer Candidate, Rhys Iaokim, in order to "take him out of the town" surreptitiously – Rhys paying Galand handsomely for his part as a guide and guard out away from the Temple.

They go to the Three Thieves' Inn, where Rhys is interested in a game of dice going on in a nearby booth. Galand is given some coppers to make use of, and he heads over to join in the game. Luck appears to be in his favor, but his only opponent left at the table – a vixen who introduces herself as Shadowspite – seems mostly interested in getting a message to Rhys, to let him know that she's back in town.

Galand passes this on to a momentarily incredulous Rhys, and then promptly shuffles Rhys and his Savanite guard (Dar, aka "Too Slow") out of the bar, and back to the safety of the Temple. There, Rhys explains that Shadowspite was the one responsible for killing the original Captain-Astromancer – in the TEMPLE, no less – thus underscoring her lethality.

Tahir comes in, and Rhys has a few harsh words for him … partially because he's soused, having consumed too much alcohol for his small body mass. Tahir leaves … and Rhys gives Galand an amulet that is meant to identify him to Faraon the Friend – a golden dragon who is the true power behind Darkside. More adventures are surely to be found ahead.