Red's party continue their search for the Gem Giants while one new party member and one familiar face join in. However everything does not go as planned when the Gem Giants tell them about the gem beast that is turning everything to lead.
Rutti spends a day trying to cheer up her friend, Tesse, who is stuck inside her own head as to her role in the new life. but later that night, she faces an old adversary, a deserter from the assassins guild who has a score to settle.
The group take off for a training camp for Red who accepted a sparring match with his old friend Donan. By training with his friends. Van dispenses "heroic justice" after a bar fight, ignoring his companions teachings yet again.
Red Ruti and Rit venture away from town, to avoid running into the "new hero", who is traveling with The cardinal and estha. While tesse, donnan and the others stay behind to keep an eye on things.