The party sends out some scouts to reconnoiter the ruck-man camp. They estimate the Fleshrippers to be nearly four score in number, bivouacked at the bottom of a depression next to a fetid pond. There are several bonfires, and the ruck-men seem to be reveling in their recent victory. There are two groups of guards, and the screams of prisoners are heard.

Based on this intelligence, a strategy is developed. Friar Sidrach will stay with the volunteers, cajoling them with rousing words into fighting. Meanwhile, a smaller band of infiltrators, including St. James, Coric, Mendelor, Valerius, Mot, Renton, and Harry Morton will steal up behind the ruck-men camp. As dawn breaks, a rabbit will distract the ruck-men, leading them up the hill and into an ambush. The volunteers will hit the rucks and then retreat. Meanwhile, the infiltrators will attack any stragglers at the camp and hopefully recover any surviving prisoners. Hamral volunteers to be the rabbit, and creates a diversion by running in and cutting down two ruck-guards before the Fleshrippers know what hit them.

The guards pursue, but the rest of the ruckish band hangs back, contrary to the plan. The pursuing guards are quickly cut down by the volunteers, but the Fleshrippers soon reveal themselves to be well-organized, disciplined, and heavily armed troops. They quickly form into three ranks, ten wide and two deep, of pole-arm wielding, mail-wearing monsters. They begin marching up the hill. Volunteer bowmen strike down many of the first wave, but when the attack breaks upon them, seven spearmen fall in the ensuing melee. The volunteers, shaken, fall back while the archers lay down covering fire. Hamral leads them out. Friar Sidrach, protected by the Grace of the Five, is able to pass through the ruckish ranks unscathed, and he proceeds towards the ruckish camp and the rest of the party.

Meanwhile, the rest of the heroes assault the remaining rucks at the camp. Although only numbering a half-dozen or so, these rucks are officers and elite troops, and are very strong and very tough. They fight back fiercely, and use envenomed blades. Mot is poisoned, but survives. The party is routed, without rescuing any prisoners. In the retreat St. James identifies Hamral's brother, hung upside down from a pole, his throat cut.

The party flees back towards the Frounter, and regroups—dejected, defeated, and squabbling. With the prisoners dead and casualties high, there seems no reason to continue. The party heads back to Heremac, while Mendelor decides that he needs some time alone, hunting.