The defeated lady Amnelis returns to her father, where she learns that he has plans to have her married; meanwhile Guin prepares to leave Nospherus, vowing to one day return to the Lagon and Sem. The prince of Crystal returns to his city, only to be betrayed and captured.

As most of the Mongaul forces leave Crystal to engage the approaching rebel army, Naris seizes the opportunity to instigate a revolt and retake the capital. Regia is devastated when Karthron is killed in the battle. Meanwhile, Remus and his men are held up by Kualos's forces, and must find a way to end the battle quickly so that they can reach Parros.

With the Mongaul army closing in on the group, Guin decides that he has no option but to stand and fight. As such he lets Istavan and the twins go on ahead, while he doubles back to take on an entire legion of soldiers single-handedly.