C-Town Pitstop

The Danger Gang sails successfully back into the Chrysopolis harbor. Everyone is happy. Karl makes a beeline for his recalcitrant son, Karl Jr. informing him that he has no recalled his dead wife's name. It's Lydia. Karl Jr. is still skeptical and asserts that the only way to prove his parentage is to whoop 'em. So Karl beats up his son and then they're best friends.

Meanwhile, a cat visits Eorl and Arben and tells them that the Khan of the Pechenegs is arranging an auction for a caged Phoenix on the Elemental Plane of Fire on February 14th, next year. He gives them a gold tuning fork to transport them there on the day in question. There is a seven hundred platinum piece entry fee. A means of sustaining yourself on the plane will not be provided.

The cat also kindly informs the boys that one of the cats in town isn't a cat. They immediately start hunting this not-cat down. It turns out to be a Doppelganger that's been hanging out in town. He's the one that's been protecting little Helena, so he's alright. They tell him he's welcome to keep hanging out as long as he doesn't start eating human brains or anything. His real name is Kalb. He, Chow-Han, and the other one, what's his name, have an awkward exchange. The one in the jar is probably really resentful that the others get to just walk around. C'est la vie.

Ferminus asks if Arben can Magic Mirror on their missing knife thrower, Gabriel. Arben smears the eyes on the mirror, and they find him in a big gray place, with his butt stuck to a stone bench. It looks like he's in Tartarus, but he's still alive. Looks like the circus has their rescue mission cut out for them.