An unnamed child narrator explains that Haedeon is leaving on the next cycle to try to steal his own Moonplume egg. The trip will take him far beyond Arithia's walls by sleigh, with many slumbers in snow huts along the way, even though the route is dangerous. The narrator thinks the plan is foolish because Pahpi's Moonplume could carry Haedeon there quickly, but Haedeon insists that this difficult journey is the proper way and that he wants to prove himself.

The narrator reveals that Mahmi and Pahpi do not share Haedeon's determination. The child overhears both parents begging Haedeon not to go, but their pleas do not change his mind. During the aurora fall, Haedeon acts cheerful, smiling and joking while the narrator helps fold his clothes and pack his bag, yet the child recognizes that Haedeon is actually afraid. Haedeon's fear shows through in a small, unusual act of tenderness: he gives the narrator three butterberry chews instead of his usual single piece.

The narrator then repeats what Pahpi has said about the task itself. To get a Moonplume egg, Haedeon must travel to Netheryn, a place so cold that almost nothing can grow or breathe there, climb tall ice towers without being seen, steal an egg from a mahmi Moonplume's nest, and escape quickly and quietly. Because the narrator knows Haedeon is large, loud, and unable to move softly or hear the elemental songs, the challenge feels impossible. As the child's stomach turns and dread deepens, the chapter closes with a painful realization: the narrator does not think Haedeon is coming home from Netheryn.