Synopsis

The chapter opens with Skol enjoying gifts from a merchant, highlighting his ambition to become the tribe chief and expand their territory. Meanwhile, Hati and her companion are traveling through the desert when they encounter a cat tribe ambush. Hati is captured, and the cat tribe reveal that they are using her as leverage to influence Skol's upcoming leadership, making it clear their actions are tied to his future decisions. This introduces a major conflict involving the characters and tribes.