After resting from the combat, the Maximals finally get around to returning to the Comet's lair. They begin to explore his vaults, and catalogue an enormous amount of stolen treasure: in gold, platinum, armor, weapons, jewels, and magic. However, having lost the assistance of their heavy-lifter, the Maximals must spend a few days dragging all of the treasure back to their ship, now landed just inside the destroyed city. Scythe sits out of these proceedings for the most part, spending his time beginning the long process of repairing Hulk.
One particular item, a pendant, seems to cause some irritation to Morynth when it is brought aboard the ship. When Paladyne looks at the writing on the pendant, he notices that the ancient runes read "Risen Begone." The pendant itself is used to frighten undead; its mere proximity causes the avatar of the plauge goddess a great deal of discomfort.
Shadowraith flies back to Wanderlust, and returns to the magic shop, to enlist the old wizard that works there in pricing some of their magical goods, and the body of the dragon itself. He gives the wizard a lift back to the cave, where the old man is very astonished at the size and nature of the Maximals' victory. Now loaded with treasure, the Maximals take off their ship for what might be the last time in a while...they'll be out of fuel if their deal with Muldin does not go through. Luckily, however, the dwarf is good to his word. Provided with the needed sum of gold, he promises the Maximals their first load of the blue ore will be prepared within the week.
This gives Paladyne time to explore a route he had been considering taking: a trip to the highest peaks of the mountains where the fabled temples of Eaglehome rested. Here, the paladins of Aravorn came to pray, and for the most fortunate of his warriors to receive flying mounts. Shadowraith and Snowshriek say they are not occupied, and would like to join Paladyne on this trip.
Shadowraith makes it his personal goal not to use his wings on this journey, as Paladyne is forced to walk, though Snowshriek makes no such promise, and scouts ahead of the group. The climb is not difficult on the first day, but on the second, the Maximals encounter one of the dangers of these mountains: a pair of ettins, two-headed giants. None-too-bright, the giants decide that the group of animals may be edible. A sharp sting from Paladyne's sword, as well as a warning, convinces one of them to back off, but Snowshriek shoots the other, almost enraging him to attack. Convincing the ettins that they are not food, Paladyne finally manages to get them to back off.
The next night, another unusual thing happens: Snowshriek, having spent more time in beast mode than his programming could handle, has the sudden realization that he has been doing things incorrectly… an owl, traveling in the day and resting at nights. His patterns abruptly change in the middle of the night, while the other two Maximals are resting. Flying off, feral, into the mountains, he hunts, and sleeps the next morning in a cave. Upon awaking, the other two notice that he is gone, and Shadowraith tracks his signature to higher in the mountains. Paladyne and Shadowraith continue their climb, and finally meet up with Snowshriek just as he is beginning to awaken with the sunset. They manage to talk him back to Maximizing... only then, does he cough up the hairball that lets him realize he's been feasting on giant rats.