At dawn, Leathfhear waits by the lake with Conor, Seanna, Miach, and Fearghus for the druid's arrival, each of them making offerings while they watch the hills. Leathfhear goes to fetch Tara, and on the way the chapter shows how much has changed in the last two months: stung by Tara's earlier criticism, Leathfhear has trained relentlessly, and daily practice has turned their hard-won respect into genuine friendship. Even so, both of them are anxious about what news the druid will bring.

When Lir reaches the crannog, his face confirms the answer before he says it aloud: there is war. During what is usually a lively morning meal, Lir explains that High King Úrthuile died nearly six weeks earlier, and both Rónán and Fiachra declared claims to succeed him. The Grove then broke precedent by demanding the location of Loch Traenala; Lir refused to give that secret to Donnán and instead brought the matter to King Rónán, leading to Donnán's expulsion from Caer Áras. In response, the Grove backed Fiachra as the only legitimate claimant and framed Rónán's rejection of them as a rejection of the gods.

The situation worsens when Lir reports that Fiachra's forces have already taken the eastern plains and that the Grove are not merely advising but actively fighting. According to the reports, they are granting the nasceann to many more warriors than should be allowed, and some claim they are even sending packs of alupi into battle. This shocks and frightens the crannog, because it means the coming conflict may be shaped by divine power and druidic intervention rather than ordinary warfare alone. Because of the crisis, the king has ordered Lir to assess the students, and any judged worthy will be Called to serve.

Pádraig declares that the Samhain demonstrations will decide who is ready, with Tara leading and choosing those who will fight under her torc. Leathfhear immediately understands that Tara means to leave him out so he can travel with Lir and pursue answers from the draoi instead. After Lir and Pádraig withdraw, the younger warriors discuss whether the earlier raiders had been searching for Fiachra's enemies or for Leathfhear himself; Tara insists the threat points toward Ruarc and the druids, which is why Leathfhear must go. When Leathfhear begs Tara to choose him to fight beside the others, Tara refuses and tells him their paths are only separating for a time. Left feeling isolated, Leathfhear realizes how deeply he now cares for Tara and the crannog, and he resolves to prove that he truly belongs with them when the evening trials begin.