Turns out Opifera’s mate was betrayed and dumped in the drink. Opifera, Apu, Natalia, and Sister Helga arrive just in time to see the ship’s captain dumped overboard dressed in chains for a quick sink. Rescued from drowning he begs their help in revenge. As they hide near the ships in shadows scheming Toad comes running by panting and gasping “wait for me!” to the ship. Before anyone can catch him he’s staggering exhausted up the ship’s gangplank asking about Opifera. The other Troubleshooters scrap their plans and chase after him. Shots are fired and the battle for the ship begins. In a bloody reverse coup Opifera, Apu, Natalia, Sister Helga and Toad help Opifera’s old mate reclaim his ship. They learn that Waernuk was more than prepared for Kilbride’s full scale assault on his operations and, at least by sea, Waernuk came out significantly ahead. Dozens of ships burn and sink in the harbors of Five Fingers, nearly all of them allies of Killbride on shoreleave.

At least this ship survived the night intact. The restored captain invites his old friend Opifera on a ocean tour. It doesn’t take much convincing and the satyr, skilled sword and founding member of the Bellrow Troubleshooters bids a farewell from her guild to take a turn at looting the high seas. The others sadly see her off and tell her to come by when next in port.

(see also Tidesebb Burning under Ano’s Reflections)

The Troubleshooters spend the next two months fulfilling more traditional mercenary and guardsmen contracts within the city while each member pursues his own side goals and attends to personal business.

One foggy night Ano and Toad dispose of the Natalia’s stalker (still in stasis thanks to Apu) selling him to a sailor named Seagull, sailor on an outbound merchant vessel. On the return trip to the guildhouse they meet an odd beggar who soundly beats Ano at dicing despite being apparently blind as a bat. Humoring them the beggar sells them a tip on a man offering some work. That night Ano sets to learn what he can of the man before the Troubleshooters make contact. The rest of the guild spend the night drinking and eating at the Swiggling Pig where Apu disposes of a necromantic powerstone down the privy.

A loud and persistent knock at the guildhouse door awakens Sister Helga shortly after sunrise and only an hour or two after they’ve gotten home. The visitor reveals herself as an old flame of Apu’s and the mother of their son. She fled Ammad shortly after Apu and has been in Five Fingers for years unbeknowst to the mage. Sita begs for help in finding their son who has disappeared. Apu is understandably shaken and stunned by the news but is tender to his former lover and readily agrees to help her.