Chapter 7

Raeve disposes of Tarik's body and ventures into the Ditch to gather supplies from Ruse's shop. After purchasing items from Essi's list and obtaining a sawtooth blade, Raeve learns that Sereme has summoned her for a mandatory meeting, forcing her to postpone rest.

Raeve wakes on the skybridge as the aurora rises and descends thirty-three levels into the Ditch, the bustling ground-level marketplace. She adjusts her veil to better conceal her identity and her revealing gown, which she had worn for a previous mission. At Ruse's shop—a sprawling store of magical supplies tucked beneath a wind chute—Raeve presents Essi's shopping list and discovers her account with Ruse has been depleted by Sereme as payment for a recently approved mission. Her balance drops from 721 to 610 buckets of dragon bloodstone. While settling her purchases, Raeve requests a replacement for a layer of her gown that was damaged during a job (torn by a trogg), and asks Ruse to forge a thigh sheath for a sawtooth blade with specific material and buckle requirements. Ruse agrees to contact her when the sheath is ready within the next aurora cycle. During their exchange, Raeve reflects on her practice of donating her earnings to the poor and hungry of the Undercity as a quiet act of defiance against the King's indifference. As Raeve prepares to leave, Ruse delivers an order—not a request—that Sereme demands to meet with her immediately. Reluctant and exhausted, Raeve heads toward Sereme's location.