Sir Hamral leads the crusading army deeper into ruckish territory. Pentian spies report that King Tereus has dispatched a large army toward Utterbol, but has chosen not to lead it himself. The consortes debate what to do next. Some men argue that the crusaders should march at once for Utterbol, to give succor to the besieged Count. But Sir Hamral calls for far bolder action: to move the crusaders against Heremac itself, and King Tereus. In the end, the Bailiff's suggestion becomes the army's command.

After a hard march, the crusaders draw near to Heremac, which now lies on the far side of the Corin River. They can see the occupied city on the other side of the great water, but the nearest fords are several miles to the north and south. Ruckish sentries spot the approaching army, and Tereus dispatches forces to the north and south to guard the fords. Hamral orders his entire army to the south.

The rucks march faster, and reach the ford before the crusaders. But the crossing is long and arduous; the crusaders reach the rucks as they are but halfway across the Corin.

The ruckish host is tired from the exertion of their march, and half their numbers were dispatched to the northern ford. Further, the Black-Blades are at a great disadvantage in the water. The first wave of rucks are slaughtered on the eastern shore. A second wave follows close behind, this one led by a company of mighty ruckish warriors, famed veterans of many a bloody campaign.

Dauntless, Sir Hamral leads the consortes against these ruckish champions. The ensuing battle is brutal, close quarter fighting. One of Sir Hamral's newest recruits, a young captain named Elad of Mattin, is caught up in a ruckish charge and piteously cut down in his prime. The rest of the consortes are pushed back from the river's edge by the press of Black-Blades, but Hamral refuses to sound the retreat. The consortes regroup and launch a fearsome counterattack that ruins the ruckish vanguard.

Their champions slain, the ruckish troops falter in the river, allowing the crusading army to fall upon them and rout them utterly. Hamral then moves the crusader army across the river, marking an important turning point in the war.