In Upchurch, the consortes debate how best to proceed against the rucks. Mendelor returns from his travels in the occupied lands with a new friend: Dirk, a doughty young man-at-arms who fought alongside the Derwich rebels.

Mendelor then relates how he inspected the old troll cave near Lownell, which remains abandoned. Mendelor found no new signs there of trolls, and because their ghastly stink lingers so firmly, all other creatures have kept well away. Mendelor tells how he carefully hid the cave entrance, in case it might someday prove useful as a bolt-hole.

Mendelor then tells how he traveled to Derwich to see how Sir Reginald and the rest of the rebels were faring. Dirk explains that the rebels have been largely successful in harrying the rucks, helped by the fact that Prince Busirane has shifted his attention to the south and Antace Castle. Nestor alone, Dirk states, is much easier pickings for the rebels.

The rebels have become skilled at raiding ruckish supply trains, and this past fall they enjoyed numerous victories. The rebels carefully chose the time, location, and object of their raids. For instance, both Nestor and Briareus committed significant military resources to guarding treasure-trains bound for the Yron Citie. But since the rebels have little use for piles of coin and silver gewgaws anyway, they instead concentrated their attentions on ruckish grain shipments, which were far less well protected. It took Nestor quite a while to grow keen to the trick, but in the meantime the rebels made off with much of the ruck's harvest. Dirk speculates that Nestor will rue his priorities next spring, when his stores run low and his rucks are hunting rats and blackbirds for sustenance.

Despite these setbacks, for the moment Nestor appears to hold Lownell firmly in his grasp. He treats the peasants there fairly well, and in turn they have given him little trouble. Somehow, Sir John the Bastard made amends with the Ruck-Prince, for Nestor released him from prison a few months ago. Mendelor believes that at some point an extravagant tribute—possibly sent from Heremac—was brought before Nestor, and this treasure was enough to buy Sir John's freedom. Sir John now serves as Nestor's chief minister and continues to wield considerable influence. The Bastard managed to convince Nestor to also release Claudius from prison, and together they offer counsel to the prince and help keep the peasantry in check.

Mendelor reports that Nestor commands about three companies of Black-blades who provide the backbone of his army: almost a hundred rucks, total. These Black-blades are then supplemented by another six companies of Rotting Eye rucks. In addition, the human levy would amount to maybe another company or two, but these peasants would be badly trained and probably break at the first sight of action. Mendelor notes that all of the Rotting Eyes seem to have embraced Pentianity with a surprising fervor, while most of the Black-blades appear unconverted.

Dirk explains that these forces are far more than anything the Derwich Rebels would be able to handle in toe-to-toe fight. And, Dirk adds, Nestor has something else in his favor: his mighty captain of war, Sarpedon. This ruckish warrior is both shrewd and disciplined, able to compensate for Nestor's erratic behavior, and often turning the tide of war in Nestor's favor. After observing this ruck drill with the rest of Nestor's troops, Mendelor estimates that Sarpedon would prove a formidable opponent even for Sir Hamral.

Mendelor also tells how he scouted out the Tower of the Scarlet Banner, but spied little activity there. Word was that the two knights are abroad on quests for their lady, the mysterious enchantress.

Once Mendelor finishes relating his adventures in the occupied lands, the consortes begin discussing the recent, troubling news from Antace, where Prince Busirane and Lord Charles of the Axe have been engaged in fierce fighting. The latest word holds that Sir Charles was laid low after meeting Busirane in personal combat. And although Charles's bodyguards carried him from the field, he was poisoned and many believe that he is languishing. Meanwhile, Busirane's troops have been so heartened by this turn of events that they are sorely pressing the defenses of Antace Castle.

The consortes resolve to head for Antace and offer what aid they may. Mendelor has a poison antidote that he hopes may help Lord Charles, and the consortes summon Sir Reginald, who is eager to assist Antace. Even Sir Garnfellow offers his formidable services.

The group travels to Antace, where they find the men there demoralized and badly taxed by Busirane's fierce offensive. The men of Antace do not believe they will be able to hold out much longer against the assault. Mendelor delivers his antidote to Lord Charles, and the potion seems to alleviate some measure of the Castellan's suffering, but not all of it.

The consortes learn that poison was not the only cruelty that Busirane inflicted upon Charles. The Ruck-Prince cut off Lord Charles's hand, and then left the maimed knight alive to torment him. The loss of his hand has broken the Castellan, and the distraught man is unable to take much pleasure in being saved from a death by poison. Meanwhile, the ruckish army camps on the other side of Lorn Pond, and at night the defenders of Antace Castle can see the distant campfires across the water, and can hear the celebratory drums and horns.

Reginald and Garnfellow set to work, trying to rally the poor men of Antace. Meanwhile, the consortes strike out from Antace Castle, hoping to scout out Busirane's position and, if possible, do anything that might thwart the ruck's offensive. Since most of the fighting has been concentrated on the southern shores of Lorn Pond, and Busirane's camp is on the eastern shore, the consortes head north and east—an unexpected approach, considering that the dreaded ruins of Lorn Abbey lie in that direction. The ruined abbey seems especially daunting without the presence of Friar Sidrach Landry.

The veterans in the group warn Dirk and Renton sternly about the perils of Lorn Abbey, and as the ruins draw near it becomes apparent that these fears are not unfounded. The immediate area around Lorn Abbey is blasted and withered, the very vegetation twisted and the air itself thick with malevolence. Even after skirting well wide of the ruins, several of the consortes are affected by the Abbey's evil emanations. St. James suddenly feels an aching around the old wound that he suffered several years ago while exploring the ruins; Valerius and Mendelor suddenly begin bickering angrily with each other.

Despite these distractions, the consortes are able to move clear of the ruins before night falls, and make camp between Busirane's army and Lorn Abbey. Valerius draws some magical wards around the perimeter of the camp, and severely warns his fellows not to disturb the markings. The consortes then settle into a chilly night of unquiet dreams. While Dirk and Renton are on watch, Dirk hears plaintiff noises out in the darkness—a girl's voice calling for help, asking him to leave the circle and bring her home. At the urging of his fellows Dirk resists the pleas. Later that night, silent figures suddenly appear standing at the edge of the fire's light: cowled, faceless figures, dressed in monks' robes. The figures circle the camp several times in the darkness, never coming any closer and never uttering a word. At dawn they disappear, and Mendelor finds no tracks in the woods where the figures appeared to be.

Somewhat shaken by the night's events, the group presses on and by day's end the consortes reach the outskirts of Busirane's camp on the shore of Lorn Pond. A quick survey reveals that Busirane's forces are well armed, well supplied, and in high spirits. That night the consortes watch as the rucks hold a great feast, complete with thundering drums and bellowing horns. Busirane himself and his captains attend the festivities, which are hosted by a couple of ruckish heralds. The night begins with a gladiatorial fight to the death between two captured Pentians, followed by some sort of ruckish lottery. The evening is capped off when one of the heralds brings forth a great platter upon which is displayed Lord Charles's severed hand. The sight of this grim totem whips the rucks into an ecstatic frenzy. After watching all this, the consortes withdraw.

The next day the consortes scout out Busirane's supply lines and find a suitable spot for an ambush, less than an hour's march east from the main camp. The consortes wait. Later that day they waylay a couple of ruckish messengers dispatched by Busirane. One of the messengers reveals his mission: to summon reinforcements for Busirane's final assault on Antace, scheduled to take place in six days. After making sure that Busirane's request is never processed, Valerius sends Noxumbra across Lorn Pond with a message for Sir Reginald, informing him of the situation.

That night the rucks hold yet another obscene feast. However, when Lord Charles's severed hand is again brought forth before the crowd, Noxumbra suddenly plunges into the center ring and snatches up the hand. The ruckish cries of glee turn to howls of anger. Busirane immediately orders his unlucky heralds executed, and the entire camp is thrown into high alert.

The next day the consortes ambush a group of rucks leaving Busirane's camp. Our heroes handily thrash these rucks, only to learn that they were all wounded soldiers, being sent back to the Yron Citie.

The next day a company of fresh reinforcements arrives from the east and marches straight into the consortes' trap. These Black-blades provide a tough fight, but many of these rucks are killed and the survivors are left to flee on to Busirane's camp.

The next day, Busirane dispatches three entire companies of Black-blades in pursuit of the consortes. The consortes, in turn, use captured ruckish signal-horns and other diversions to lead their pursuers on a wild goose-chase toward Lorn Abbey. The rucks follow so close and hard that the consortes are forced to actually enter the ruins in order to escape.

Once within the ruins, everyone is struck by the sheer malevolence of the place, and many party members have to suppress powerful feelings of resentment and animosity toward their own friends. A few consortes feel an inexplicable compulsion to enter the desecrated church at the heart of the ruins. As the daylight dwindles and the rucks wait outside the ruins, some consortes want to stay. Renton in particular refuses to leave, and begins making his way toward the church. Several of his fellows try to restrain him, but he resists. In the struggle that follows, several consortes feel their anger and frustration at Renton greatly magnified, and they have to choke back murderous impulses. In the end, Renton is brought under control without any shedding of blood. The group then promptly flees from the ruins, unseen by the waiting rucks.

The Ruins of Lorn Abbey

Shortly after, the three companies of Black-blades finally enter the ruins in search of the consortes, who are meanwhile rushing to get far as possible from the Abbey before the sun sets. That night the consortes can hear noises from the ruins: wretched screams and ruckish horns sounding in confusion. Throughout the night these sounds wane and gradually diminish into complete silence.

The next morning the consortes wait to assail any rucks who might emerge from the ruins . . . but not a single ruck walks out. Valerius dispatches Noxumbra immediately to inform Reginald of these events and to urge the knight to strike immediately, while Busirane's army is weakened. Meanwhile, the consortes prepare a few more surprises for the Ruck Prince.

Meanwhile, back at Busirane's camp, the prince begins assembling a band of his best soldiers, hoping to rescue the three missing companies. Busirane himself leads this strike-force north toward Lorn Abbey. At the same time, Reginald quietly guides the forces of Antace along the southern shore of the pond.

A few hours later, Reginald engages the weakened remnants of Busirane's army, striking with total surprise. To the north, Busirane hears the signal-horns from his besieged army, calling for assistance. In a trice Busirane aborts the rescue mission and turns his company south to rush back to assist his army. But waiting in his path is an ambush cleverly laid by the consortes.

A fierce and bloody battle follows. Many of Busirane's rucks are either wounded or killed. Because Busirane and his bodyguards dress exactly alike—a common ruckish ruse—it is difficult to single out the prince from the confusion of the melee. Eventually, however, Valerius's exceptionally keen eyesight allows him to identify Busirane. The vengeful magician then hurls a bolt of magical fire that engulfs the prince!

After a hard fight, the rucks and their prince break through. But by the time Busirane and his rucks finally arrive on the battlefield to face Reginald, they are already fatigued from their forced march and from having to fight the consortes. Further, the prince finds the remains of his army badly demoralized and disorganized. It is all that Busirane can do to rally his troops into an orderly retreat.

But as the tattered ruckish army prepares to abandon the field and return to Derwich, waiting once again in their way are the consortes, who launch another surprise attack. Several more rucks fall, and twice more Valerius hurls fire unto Busirane —and both times the ruckish prince, badly wounded, picks himself up and continues on. The rest of the Black-blades regroup and threaten to overrun our heroes' position. Valerius then chooses between finishing Busirane off or retreating in the face of overwhelming odds. The consortes leave the prince for another day and quit the battle, having suffered only minimal casualties.

The consortes link up with Reginald and the triumphant army, and head back toward Antace.