The combined North Wood and bandit armies continue their march into the City of the Ancients. Curtis and Prue learn that this area was once inhabited by a cultured race later overthrown by barbarians. As the armies march toward the Ancients’ Grove, blackberry brambles as far as the eye can see block their path. The army is running out of time to intercept the Governess. Brendan orders his troops to chop through the brambles, but their progress is too slow. Prue gets the idea of having Iphigenia talk to the plants. The Elder Mystic meditates and asks them to move out of the way. To everyone’s amazement, the plants open a wide swath for the army to march through.

When they get to the other side, they see Alexandra’s army ahead of them moving toward the old basilica in the center of Ancients’ Grove. In the middle of the ruin is the Plinth of the Ancients, where the Governess intends to sacrifice Mac. Brendan gives the order to attack. As the armies join in battle, Prue carries messages from Brendan to his commanders in the field. Meloy writes:

Prue and Curtis shared a quiet glance before the soldiers on the hillside, with a great collective holler, leapt up from their positions and stormed the crest of the ridge.