The group severs the head of the orc chieftain and puts in a sack for transport back to Cillamar, where Sukuhn has promised them a reward for its delivery.  They then search the chamber and uncover a secret door.  Beyond this door, they find two things of note: the orc tribe's treasure chest, and stairs leading down.  They spike the door shut, divvy out the loot, and head back to town.  They return the prisoners they have rescued to their respective homes en route, with Sapphira Silverhue the last to take her leave.  Hugin, the human fighter, offers his aid if the group returns to deal with the remaining orcs: aid the group readily accepts.

In Cillamar, the group catches up with Old Ned, who as requested has been stopping by the Inn each day to see if they have returned.  They task the youngster with making inquiries around town about anyone who might have a raven as a pet or companion, and also arrange for him to receive an apprenticeship with the Glimers.  Zook's cousins, for their part, give the heroes a scrap of parchment that they say was recovered from the mountain beneath Castle Whiterock by a long-dead ancestor.  This parchment speaks of something called the Clockwork Academy, which appears to be some kind of Gnomish foundry or workshop.  This was the reason the Glimers had risked the mountain in the first place, but they have decided the task is not for them, and intend to leave it to "Cousin Zook and his friends".

The heroes also caught up with Lady Talbalt, who confirmed that the old temple of Denithae, and the tunnels beneath it, remained quiet.  She also indicated that the heroes names were beginning to attract attention in the city's hierarchy.  For now, Paladins from her order continue to ensure that evil does not emerge from the strange complex beneath the temple.

Finally able to turn their attention to pleasure, rather than business, the group spent a merry evening with Ixnay and Lady Chauntessa at the Inn of the Slunbering Drake.  They relate tales of their activities, drink and eat heartily, and enjoy warm baths (well, except Bob - they have to wait until he is too drunk to resist before throwing him into a bath).  They also speak with Bree, the bard at the inn, who shows an interest in turning their adventures into song.  This appears to be something of a pretext, however, as some of the more perceptive members of the group notice that Bree's real interest seems to be in the fate of Sapphira.  The bard shows momentary relief at hearing the other woman is safe, and - since there does not appear to be ill will there - they do not quiz her about her reasons for asking.

The following day, the group heads back to Castle Whiterock, accompanied by Hugin.  There is no sign of activity at the surface level of the Castle.  The only change to the White Talon's level is that the elevator used to transport slaves below has been disabled.  Presumably the Impressario prefers to plan any response to the heroes activities, rather than merely lashing out.

Heading down to the third level of the complex, the group disables one trap, and sets off another - but fortunately no-one is hurt by the second.  Following their usual method of exploration (the left wall), the group discovers an alchemical lab, staffed by orcs.  They kill the four assistants without difficulty, and the wounded lead alchemist surrenders.  He gives his name as Robgrut, and bargains for his life to be spared if he answers their questions.  The group agrees, much to William's annoyance.  He gets some small measure of satisfaction by breaking Robgrut's laboratory and killing the orc's pet toad, since they weren't included in the terms.

Robgrut explains that there are about a dozen other orcs on the level, plus three bugbears.  He says that the leader of this group is Drugila, who he characterises as "crazy but powerful".  He seems pretty sure the orcish leader will slay all the heroes when they meet her.  The heroes are blase about this possibility.  He says Drugila can usually be found on the far south of the level, in a collapsed tower.  The only other notable thing about the level, according to the alchemist, is that there is a lake to the west, which has been blocked off after several orcs saw a 'water maiden', and one orc went missing.

The heroes tie Robgrut up and lock him in one of the cells in the old White Talon level, promising to release him once the rest of the Orcs are dead.  They then break with tradition and make a beeline for the western end of the mines, where they locate the now-blocked off lake, and open a path into the cavern.  There, they encounter a Nixie, which has been trapped in the cavern by a monstrous crayfish.  The Nixie offers the group her coral ring if they kill the beast.  She indicates the ring is magical, though she doesn't know what it does.  The group agree, and succeed in destroying the creature.  They get the ring as agreed, and discover it to be a ring of water breathing.