The Miranda sails out of the Harbour past the fishing boats.

Henry approaches Nate with a report and mentions that there are city guards active at the docks who seem to be searching ships. The Miranda is beyond reach though and sailing out to sea.

Keena serves dinner and those not in the know ask about the mission. Kalen and Polly explain that they are retrieving a rare monkey from the Vilasa islands for the Governor's private collection. They are careful not to reveal that the young Prince is dying.

Kalen asks about the extra passangers who are not part of the mission. Cass covers for Sycthe, explaining that she is his poor wretched cousin who's husband died in a fire recently leaving her destitute. He explains he is taking her with him on this trip while he makes arrangements to get her settled with the money he is making as a hired muscle for Nate. Keena, Henry and Jeff are introduced as crew.

Dextrin asks if anyone has been to the Vilasa before or knows anything particular about them and casts his intrigue spell on Kalen. He goes for maximum power and up against none-resistence whatsoeer percieves a chunk of Kalen's history. He witnessed the buring at the stake of a woman when he was a young child, was enslaved, became a gladiator and won his freedom when a royal figure decided to hire his services as a protector. He is without doubt loyal to the young Prince and wants this mission to succeed. There is something unexplained about him, but Kalen does not seem to have any other agenda and can be trusted.

Interest turns to the hooded stranger on board who is not at the dinner table. Nate approaches his cabin but is reasonably politely rebuffed. Polly and Nate have a conversation about how odd looking he is although they can't quite put their fingure on what worries them.

Scythe notices that Polly has long thick gloves on that she hasn't taken off all day, even in the earlier heat.

Late that night while on deck Scythe suffers one of her terrifing visions. But this time, Polly can see it too. Polly remembers Lythande's sword and rushes to defend Sycthe. The vision screams silently at the sight of the sword and vanishes. Sycthe turns to see Polly with her sword drawn bearing down on her and demands an explanation, which Polly duely provides. Scythe is enraged at the idea of a ghost killing sword and commands Polly never to draw it again in her presence. Polly leaves, resigned to the idea that some people just don't want to be helped!

Nate trys again to find out about the stranger. The stranger seems slighty surprised to be told he hasn't taken any food since leaving Sanctuary and he accepts a bowl of food while explaining that he has not been well.

Days pass and the Miranda hits Doldrum like windless seas. Sycthe notices Cass call his firfly creature to him to stop it fooling with the ship's dog. She asks him where he got such a thing and he tells her it was a gift from his wife.

The Miranda sails into the clutches of a Siren monster. Sycthe experiences the loving voice of her dead lover for the first time in decades, but continues to hear the torturous torments of his undead spirit which ultimately saves her life. In a heartrending scene, she is forced to slit the throat of her lover all over again and the monster is revealed. Even though Sychte knows it was only the illusion of her hearts desire and not really her lover, she is overwhelmed with grief.

Polly has been rescuing people who've ended up in the water trying to reach the illusions but in the end she can do no more without revealing herself and spreads her glorious and enourmous blue wings. She pulls Sycthe from the jaws of the creature and sets her down again where Sycthe dispatches the monster with ease. Then Polly makes sure everyone is safe.

The stranger on board leans back from his cabin window and raises an eyebrow. His bowl of food is resting untouched by his side.

Nate stears the ship out of the area and gather speed with the sudden new wind.