Erin and Joh-on both go to the Capital to shop for supplies. There, Erin meets a man named Ia-lu, a Seh-zan, playing a lullaby "Birds of Dawn" on the harp. Later, Erin meets Ia-lu again, who was about to kill Nuk and Mok, the two former egg thieves she met in Ake. While hearing a woman nearby singing "Birds of Dawn," she manages to convince Ia-lu from killing them. Ia-lu gives Erin his harp and the two former egg thieves say that they will follow Erin to repay her for her kindness.

Professor Esal decides to let Erin take care of the baby Ohju Lilan after talking and observing her in action. She says that Tomura, the person who is currently talking care of Lilan, is not ready to take care of her yet.

Erin noticed Lilan was scratching herself against a tree trunk and thought of using a brush to groom her. She got the brothers, Mok and Nuk, to make her a bigger brush as the small brush was not efficient at grooming. However, while using the bigger brush, she accidentally hurt Lilan. Lilan was infuriated and injured Erin. Thereafter, Erin was told by Esal that the only reason Lilan is obedient to Erin is because Lilan is afraid of Erin. Erin becomes afraid to get near to Lilan due to the incident. However when the memories of the times she spent with Lilan came into her mind, she took up the courage and once again got close to Lilan.

While going back to the palace by boat, the Shin-Oh is suddenly attacked by an army of Tohda in the river. Erin, along with the rest of the students and teachers of Kazalm, watch in horror. Erin decides to ride Lilan to save the Shin-Oh, but Kirik warns her that riding Lilan will make Erin regret it. When Erin gets to the attacking Tohda, Ia-lu and Dahmiyah are surprised to see Erin flying on Lilan's back. Lilan suddenly snaps and attacks the Tohda in a blind rage, deaf to Erin's cries to stop. For the first time, everyone witnesses the horrid side of the Ohju. And for Erin, this is a moment that she will never forget.

While at the Forest of Purification, Seimiyah is confronted by a large Ohju in the mist. Seimiyah meets Erin and learns of the First Shin-Oh Je and the incident of Ophalon. Erin also explains that Damiyah was forcing Erin to create an Ohju battalion for the war and attempted to kill the "traitor" Ia-lu with poison to prevent the truth from getting to Seimiyah. After listening to what seemed to be lies, Seimiyah comes to terms with the truth and decides what to do next: Seimiyah will grant Erin her freedom, only if Erin would accompany her when they go to meet the Tai-Koh at Tahai-Azeh.