Synopsis

The chapter begins with the group taking turns keeping watch. They discover their horses have mysteriously vanished. This leads them to suspect an assassin sent by Black Hawk, a group Helmut had conflict with as a mercenary. Helmut reveals his past conflicts and explains his role as the target, but intends to protect his current companions, planning to face the assassin while the others escape at dawn. The group realizes they also lost the crystal ball, further complicating their situation, but begin preparing to leave as soon as it is safe to do so, despite being short on food.