In the year 241, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but beloved city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.
Clover finally gets to ramble with Rambler, migrating ducks bear bad tidings of an accursed acorn, and Clover's parents make her eat her vegetables! Nibble, Clover, nibble!