Terrik believes a wurm accident killed the people beneath an Orzhov basilica and keeps trying to help the orphan Bazda. The search below brings his friends into a pontiff's labour trap. The pontiff admits that reckless excavation, not simply Terrik's handling of the animal, caused the collapse.
The captives hide the missing piece of a coin-making machine. Terrik's attempt to destroy the contracts is not enough, so they complete the machine and use its proceeds to pay the debts. They then remove the critical piece again.
Joined healing magic carries the group to the surface on a wurm. Bazda reunites with her parents' freed spirits, and the friends return with a bond stronger than their separate efforts. The result answers exploitation through cooperation without pretending every future uncertainty has vanished.