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Sorrel reaches Gilbert's abode only to discover that he has been unable to, despite constant efforts, to locate the Rim of Heaven.

He does mention that the pair's queries are similar to those of some mysterious ravens who visited him recently.

Returning to the warehouse with a general world-map, Sorrel and Ben, who they decided must stay, gather up Firedrake and set out from the city.

Becoming lost, they encounter a group of dwarves.

One of them, named Gravelbeard, conveys news of the party's presence to Nettlebrand, a golden-scaled, draconoid occupying a nearby castle.

Nettlebrand, whose only passion is hunting and killing weaker silver dragons, excitedly sets his armor-cleaner, a tiny " homunculus ", called Twigleg to spy on Firedrake and his party in the hope that they will lead him to other dragons.