Tension between the squire and the villagers escalates. Instead of the situation improving, aggression comes to a head and leads to violence. In the isolated house where our travelers await the Fortifed Passage to open the doors, Herdez’s arrival aggravates the situation. Herdez challenges Orn, who is left with no choice. Aconis is helpless, and fears that she will be victim to Herdez or, worse, fall into the hands of the monotheists who absolutely despise nocturnal creatures. Tension mounts between the two camps and conflict breaks out in an unexpected manner.