After hearing about the raids on King Wenric's camp, the consortes decide to lend a hand. After analyzing recent attacks, the group deduces that the next likely target will be the stores of provisions. That night the group sets an ambush: four groups of two men lay in wait for the raiders to arrive.

Shortly after midnight, both Owen and Marcus can hear the sounds of horses, although no one can see anything in the darkness. Before the group can raise an alarm, four riders appear out of nowhere in the middle of the camp and attack. A fifth rider hangs back from the fray.

The four attacking riders are some of Argus's own rucks, and prove to be puissant warriors. Even their shaggy red war-horses put up a tough fight. Meanwhile, Valerius and Friar Sidrach guess that the fifth rider is one of Argus's four wives, and cast spells on her to prevent a magical escape. Further, Valerius conjures up a spirit of the air to keep the witch occupied.

One of the horses nearly tramples Achaela to death, but the consortes rally after this setback. St. James leaps up and dispatches one of the riders with some deft sword-and-dagger work, while Sir Hamral quickly kills two of the riders in a dazzling flurry of blows from Legrand. Meanwhile, Mendelor is hard beset by another rider when suddenly, the witch casts a roaring ball of fire on the woodsman. The hellish blast kills the ruck fighting Mendelor, and Valerius and the Friar are also engulfed in the flames.

All of the excitement arouses the rest of the camp and an alarm is raised. Meanwhile, the consortes subdue the witch, who is revealed to be Devorah, the youngest of Argus's wives. She carries several interesting magical items, including bracers, a wand, and a scroll. Devorah is bound and gagged, and placed into the custody of Kirke.

The next morning, torturers in the employ of King Wenric begin setting up shop, while servants begin preparing a bonfire. Valerius, having no taste for what might follow, retires to the black pavilion. Meanwhile, Marcus and Friar Sidrach decide to perform an interrogation of their own upon the prisoner.

Marcus prays to the Five to compel Devorah to speak truthfully. The ruck-wife, while alternately haughty and fearful, reveals much in the interview that follows. Argus, she believes, is a weak and vainglorious simpleton, whose chief weakness is his pride; he has enchanted chainmail and a shield that protects him from magic spells. Queen Naome, the oldest of the wives, is the most powerful witch but is inflexible and domineering. Queen Renah, the most beautiful, is often impulsive, foolish, and barren. The Handmaid Bethseda, the most fecund of the wives, has few ambitions and is usually preoccupied by her many children. The castle of Argus, while heavily defended, is built upon an unstable, sandy foundation.

Friar Sidrach then calls down a powerful holy anathema upon Devorah: the mark of the Five appears upon her forehead, and if she so much as casts a single spell again, she will be cursed with idiocy. Having rendered the wife powerless as a witch, the consortes debate what to do with her. Some suggest letting her go free, while others counsel killing her, but Sir Hamral wins in the end, insisting that the decision is Kirke's alone.

A delegation then approaches Count Durell to tell him of the intelligence gleaned from Devorah, and to suggest that she may be more valuable to the King alive rather than dead. Instead of burning the witch at the stake, she could be ransomed in exchange for some knights known to be captives of Argus. Kirke is persuaded by this argument, and upon his recommendation King Wenric orders the consortes to escort Devorah back to Wolfgare and to negotiate the ransom.

Meanwhile, in the black pavilion Valerius conjures up a terrible spirit of the earth, Groamarggadin. The magician in black then strikes a bargain with the reluctant spirit: in exchange for gems and its freedom, Groamarggadin agrees to appear in Wolfgare when commanded and to attack the enemies of Valerius.

The consortes leave the camp of Kirke with Devorah bound and cloaked, riding in a cart. A few miles from Wolfgare they are met by a score of riders led by the ruckish captain Phoebus, who escorts them the rest of the way to the Palace of Argus. There, in a sumptuous throne-room, the consortes meet Argus, dressed in shining armor and wearing a strange helmet. The ruckish prince is cordial enough, and presents the group with twelve captured Pentian knights in exchange for Devorah.

The consortes do not linger long in the palace, but quickly get on the road. Once they are a goodly distance away, Valerius calls on Groamarggadin, who dutifully appears and then shambles off toward the palace. At this, the consortes hurry on their way, but Noxumbra relays reports of a huge earth elemental tearing through the castle walls and wrecking great havoc in its wake.

All values are given as 3E experience points. The Roleplaying Award (RP) includes PBM responses, as well as participation in the live session. Vandoren's Other Award was from Andy's "Brave Sir Hamral" song, and Valerius's Other Award was from Curt's "Four Little Witches" rhyme.