In Wildwood, Curtis watches as Alexandra assembles her troops. She says that they are about to battle a bandit army hiding in the forest across a ravine. Meloy describes the scene: “The entire far ridge was crowded with people, a people swathed in tattered clothing and holding a strange and wild variety of weapons: rifles, knives, clubs, and bows” (150). Alexandra gives the thieves a chance to leave in peace, but their Bandit King, Brendan, refuses.

When the battle commences, Curtis watches from the branches of a tree. The fighting grows fierce as swords, arrows, muskets, and cannons are deployed. Curtis jumps down from his tree perch after its roots ignite. He sees a nearby cannoneer struck down and rushes to light the wick of his cannon. The blast tears a hole in the enemy line.

In South Wood, Prue remains in her guest room in the North Tower. When she looks out the window, she sees the Avian delegation leaving the mansion. She also notices a note addressed to her on the windowsill. Owl Rex asks her to come secretly to his home that night because she may be in grave danger. Prue waits until dark to sneak out of her room.