This is the ninth episode in the first season of Born to the Blade, an eleven-episode serial from Serial Box. This episode is written by Malka Older.

With the most recent attack on Rumika by Quloo — the theft of an entire island and its aerstone — Kris Denn, warder of Rumika, demands that the other five nations of the Warder's Circle choose sides. The Mertikan Empire stands with Rumika and declares war, but only after humiliating Kris. The others, even the Mertikan vassal nations, hold their counsel, for now. The younger warders on Twaa-Fei are being left more and more in charge as their older mentors — and tormentors — retire or shift to war duties. Meanwhile, the lowest level of Twaa-Fei is burning, its people rioting amid uncertainty and fear as various factions fanning the flames. And Anton, who just wants to live his carefree pirate's life, has the lone survivor of the incident that started this whole mess. He just needs someone to hand her over to.