Disheartened by the difficulty of her project, Effy prepares to leave Hiraeth Manor permanently. She gathers her belongings and begins to make the journey back to town on foot. It is longer than she expected, and the tide begins to rise over the road. Preston appears in his car, offering her a ride. Though reluctant, Effy joins him, and they go into town together. They argue about Preston’s motives in researching Myrddin’s estate, and Preston argues that he is in search of the truth. He also reveals that he was invited to the estate by Ianto’s mother. Preston asks why Effy is going into town, and she hides the fact that she was running away. He drops her off, and she investigates the train station before phoning her mother. She asks to come home instead of going back to school, but her mother refuses. Effy decides to stay after all. Soon after, she encounters an old shepherd who warns her off the Fairy King. He gives her a collection of hag stones, naturally holed stones that will help her see through illusions.

Effy decides to go to the pub where Preston said he’d be working.