Maghra reveals to Tamacti Jun that years earlier, her dying father, the former King of House Kane, chose her as his successor over her older sister, now revealed to be Queen Kane. With no proof other than her word, Maghra reminds Tamacti Jun that it was his deciding vote that saw Queen Kane emerge as monarch instead.
Meanwhile at the City of Worms, a slave by the name of Cora befriends the captive Queen Kane who later reveals her royal status in confidence. Cora is revealed to be acting on Cutter's orders to gain information. Queen Kane is brought to him before Cutter removes a royal amulet embedded within her chest.
Back at the river, Boots falsely claims he witnessed Maghra's death and betrays the group by leading them to a cave where they are held in captivity. A woman claiming to be Boots' mother approaches the group and offers to help them escape on the condition that one of them kill Boots due to his past actions. Baba Voss fights off several of their captors allowing Kofun, Haniwa, Paris and Bow Lion to reach the surface, before Baba Voss himself barely escapes alive. Nearby, Boots allows himself to be taken captive by the Witchfinder army and is taken to Maghra.
Shortly after, messengers deliver a ransom note from Cutter to Tamacti Jun informing them of Queen Kane's imprisonment, along with the royal amulet as proof of her identity. Boots requests that Maghra let him serve as her lieutenant and offers to track down her sister.
