While Mortimer is mooching in the kitchen, Alptraum arrived dressed in one of the Countess' nightgowns, with a miniaturized Kaira on his shoulder. As usual, they are bickering. The cook sits the Eeee down at Mort's table and throws more food on it, including a blood sausage for him to suck on and some sausages and cream, which Kaira immediately claim. Mort asks if the dragon is Alptraum's familiar, and learns that she's an independent spirit of sorts. The Reaper tries to get more information out of Alptraum about just what happened to the Shadow, and does get more of an explanation, while also explaining about Reapers to the bat and dragon. In the end, Mort is satisfied that Alptraum isn't dangerous yet, but notes that he's obligated to be nosy about him still. Alptraum catches Kaira up on a few things, such as the visit to the gypsies with Tulani – and admits that he kenned the Sphynx accidentally, causing her to turn into a dragon after she freaked out about it. Kaira isn't too upset (or at least doesn't yell at Alptraum about it) but does warn him of possible side effects. He also convinces the dragon to cooperate in appeasing Mave to try and figure out what the Yodhinala might actually be after.