In Wildwood, Curtis is bound and carried by the coyote soldiers to their underground warren. There, he meets a beautiful woman who calls herself Alexandra, the Dowager Governess, a woman whose face is “ovoid and pale, though her lips shone red like the freshest late summer apples” and whose hair is “an electric copper-red” hanging “in braided tresses, brocaded with mottled eagle feathers” (73-4).

Alexandra welcomes Curtis warmly and calls for food and wine. She says that it would be impossible for an Outsider to find his way into the Wilderness because it is protected by Woods Magic. The only way Curtis could have entered is if he was born of the Magic or accompanied by someone who was.

Meanwhile, Prue travels in Richard’s van to the Avian Principality border. Before crossing at the checkpoint, Prue is asked her identity by an eagle known as the General. Richard says Prue is going to South Wood to see the Governor-Regent. The General agrees that this is a good idea. Maybe Prue’s presence will call attention to the fact that the Principality is threatened by coyote attacks coming from Wildwood. So far, requests for aid and alliance with South Wood have been ignored.