On 14th November, Emily goes to Groa's shop to buy supplies for the coming journey to the white tree, which Thora estimates will require three hours of hiking each way. The snow and recent storm make Hrafnsvik feel harsher and more ominous as Emily continues preparing for a dangerous expedition.

When Emily leaves the shop, she is drawn again to Mord and Aslaug's farmhouse, which looks bleak and unhealthy. Emily sees Mord entering the house and notices bruises mottling the side of his head. Troubled by the injuries, Emily returns to ask Groa what happened.

Groa explains that Mord was out rescuing Aslaug during the night after Aslaug nearly fell into the sea. Groa and Emily both understand that the story does not fully explain Mord's bruises, which strengthens Emily's suspicion that the changeling is worsening the couple's condition and pushing them toward madness or self-destruction.

Back at the cottage, Emily tells Wendell Bambleby what she has learned. Wendell responds harshly, arguing that the changeling is clearly trying to drive Mord and Aslaug insane and that they should kill it, since their real son may already be suffering in Faerie or may never return. Emily is angered by Wendell's lack of sympathy for the parents' plight.

After seeing Emily's reaction, Wendell reluctantly offers practical advice instead. He tells Emily to instruct Mord and Aslaug to be kind to the changeling, because changelings locked away and mistreated must be appeased by indulgence. When Emily asks whether this is what parents of stolen children do in Ireland, Wendell answers that the clever ones do, then refuses any further involvement with the child.