Sir Hamral, Valerius, Vandoren, and Dominic return to Upchurch, their hearts still full from the warm hospitality provided at Langdale Hall. Vandoren makes off directly for Lownell to make sure that everything is fine with his father, Dunstan, and Sir Charles of the Axe. Meanwhile Sir Hamral makes the rounds of Upchurch to ensure that nothing is amiss before he, too, departs for Lownell.

Helena and Hermia inform Valerius that Alda Sayer, the pregnant wife of the manor's carpenter, will soon give birth and is doomed not to survive the ordeal, as her unborn babe suffers from the witches' curse. Valerius relays this sorrowful news to Sir Hamral, and the consortes debate what might be done. Helena and Hermia believe that it is far too late to do anything to undo the curse. Sir Hamral decides to inform his carpenter, Hamlin, of the dilemma. The man is devastated by the news.

Later that day the women of Upchurch, along with Helena and Hermia, retire into the woods with Alda. The next morning, Helena and Hermia report that the carpenter's wife is dead, along with the baby boy, which had been born with the head of a tiny boar.

Sir Hamral, Valerius, Mendelor, and Owen leave Upchurch and arrive in Lownell in time for the Yule. To their relief, they find that Sir Charles and Sir Dunstan are quite fine. The Castellan of Antace is all too glad to meet with his old friends, and extends an invitation to all.

Valerius meets with Sir John the Bastard, who reveals he suspicion that "Tim, their mutual enemy," is behind the gruesome murder of the seneschal Claudius. Sir John notes that he has well-placed spies in Heremac, Derwich, and Utterbol, who regularly provide him with useful information. For example, Sir John's informants have told of an unusual amount of recent activity in Derwich, the seat of Prince Busirane's power. Many more troops have been seen mustering there than would be usual for this time of year.

Sir John relates that King Tereus is rumored to have successfully put down a burgeoning rebellion in the Yron Citie, and thus come spring the King of All Ruck-Men will be ready to turn his attention back to the Frounter and his war with Pentiandom. Sir John also notes that the garrison at Utterbol has been greatly reduced in the last few days, as Sarpedon and many troops have made an embassy to Derwich.

This news of a weakened Utterbol greatly piques the interest of our heroes, who decide that they will attempt to free the converted Prince Nestor, rumored to be imprisoned beneath the castle. Sir John agrees to help, and arranges to have some of his spies at Utterbol leave a certain door ajar.

Vandoren and Ruik stay behind in Lownell, while Hamral, Valerius, Mendelor, and Owen race to Utterbol. With the reduced patrols, the small band easily infiltrates the castle grounds and steals into the castle keep. Owen's great stealth allows the band to pass undetected into the very heart of the fortress, where the archer deftly slits the throats of two drunken Black-Blades who guard the entrance to the dungeon.

Valerius notes that a magical alarm wards the dungeon, but the rescuers cleverly bypass this alarm and quickly find the prison cell of Nestor, who regards their presence as a sign of the Five's favor. The group frees the prince, and after Valerius summons up an Aoxian to distract some ruck-men guards, the group sneaks out of Utterbol without delay.

Mendelor then guides the group to the Shrine of the Ebon Quill, where Nestor is welcomed by the astonished ruck-men there. Nestor promises Sir Hamral that he will raise an army of Pentian rucks, who will bear the banner of the Ebon Quill.