It is five days since the Acquitor Seren Pedac, Buruk the Pale and Hull Beddict have arrived in the Edur village and tonight they are to have their first meeting with the Warlock King. She has noticed that there are many representatives from other Edur tribes gathered and sees it as a warning of their new-found solidarity. The Nerek are withering beneath the indifference of the Edur and she hopes to persuade Hull to speak with them and persuade them out of their apathy and eat, but Hull is in a similarly apathetic state.