Toc the Younger, on his way to meeting Adjunct Lorn, comes across the site of a battle. He counts eight dead Malazan Marines of the Jakatakan Élites, all cut to pieces. The enemy dead are of the Ilgres clan of the Barghast which explains why the Marines fared so badly. The Ilgres, amongst the strongest who are allied with the Crimson Guard, are a long way from their base. When Toc finds the body of a Shaman who must have been the leader, he realises that the man's magic was negated during the battle, leading to his death from a sword wound to the throat. Finding a trail made by survivors of Lorn's party as well as pursuing Barghast, he mounts and follows. The Adjunct and her remaining two guards are making a stand but are not faring well with both Jakatakans mortally wounded. Lorn is saved