Ren and Niddler are captured in the bowels of the Maelstrom and brought before Bloth. However, he and Mantus are distracted with Dagron rider training and don't recognize them covered in borca paste from the crash. After ordering Teron, a captive ecomancer, to bring him clear skies for sailing, Bloth throws Ren and Niddler into the ship's dungeon. There Ren sees an old woman in a fight with another prisoner and tries to help her. The woman, Avagon, recognizes Ren's broken sword and, after testing him, sees that he is Primus' son. Avagon tells Ren she was once Primus' trusted aide, helping him to gather the first seven Treasures of Rule. When their ships were attacked by Bloth, rather than let the Treasures fall into his hands, Primus sent his seven most trusted captains to hide them again. In retaliation, Bloth destroyed Octopon. Avagon helps Ren and Niddler escape into the sewers. Meanwhile, Ioz and Tula pursue Konk and the Lugg Brothers to Janda-Town. They catch up to him in