As Seiche endures capture, business between the Directional Flocks and the River Shoal take the forefront, with Gem stepping up in charge in place of Bankfoot and Stone, attempting to secure trading opportunities that were not yet squandered by Cirrus' vendetta against the Vek'her'tai Shoal. She communicates with Skysplit and Brizo while revolt and defiance runs hot like iron through all their ranks, but they fear that even their compromise might fly over the wyvern's head, which seems to never forget a sunbringer's face.