Udilf and the people in his town are preparing for an attack. They spend their days making weapons and armour. They know that an attack by mysterious "creatures", who are invulnerable to their weapons, will come soon. As the Doctor and Adric walk along, the Doctor informs Adric that the "creatures" are probably aliens that are stranded on Earth. The Doctor will offer to help them get off Earth. As the Doctor stops to examine animal droppings, Adric gets bored and wanders ahead. He is attacked by a scout, who, when learning what they are hunting, offers to take them to his leader, Czar U'thai.