Back in Heremac and short of funds, Hamral meets some fellow travelers at the Bristling Boar: Valerius, a mysterious man dressed as a Bergenian monk; Shakerly, a huge man rumored to be half-ogre; Clement, a wandering scholar, and Hedric, a woodsman. A short scuffle between Shakerly and Hedric soon identifies the strongest member of the group—and it isn't Hedric. After comparing notes, the party decides to track down rumors of a ruck company sighted in Eredy Bog.

On the south road from Heremac, the party encounters a pair of nuns on donkeys; the ladies ask for assistance crossing a stream. That night the party realizes that several items have been stolen from them.

The party figures out that the nuns were really thieves in disguise; the two perpetrators are quickly located and dealt with. Shakerly takes the (now dead) thieves' donkeys as payment for his troubles.

The party eventually arrives in the settlement of Gwynnon, which seems to be plagued by brigands dressed as rucks. A fight breaks out; Hamral again proves his skill at dispatching dogs. The brigands are slain to a man, and the party suffers no significant loss—a pleasant change! The villagers are grateful for the party's intervention, and extend humble but sincere hospitality to their rescuers.

While the rest of the party rests, Shakerly, anxious to fight rucks, explores the surrounding woods alone. He instead encounters three ogres, who do not immediately attack—evidently impressed by his ability to speak the black tongue. The ogres are somehow able to con Shakerly into returning to the woods the next night, asking only that he "bring sum o' yur lil' friends wit you."

All of the party members are appalled at Shakerly's insane idea—that is, all except Valerius, who agrees to accompany Shakerly and his donkeys to the meeting. Valerius and Shak suspect an ogre trick, but forget that ogres are able to see in the dark—leaving the two adventurers at a considerable disadvantage. The three ogres easily overpower Shakerly and Valerius and bludgeon them into unconsciousness.