With her connections, Nekara secures passage for herself, Alptraum and Autumn-Storm aboard The Princess of Stygia (a.k.a. The Stygian Princess) to cross the Stygian Sea, bound for the continent of Ur. Although the ship is powered by steam engines, it suffers from frequent breakdowns, slowing its progress, but the ship is well equipped to provide its passengers with many distractions.

Alptraum uses some opportunities to study up on Babelite language and culture, and to ask many questions of Nekara.