The story jumps back to shortly after Jorg’s departure from the Tall Castle four years earlier. Jorg and the Nuban are waiting to enter the gate of Count Renar’s capital. The Nuban tells Jorg that Renar will be impossible to assassinate, but Jorg is unswayed, saying he intends to attack the defense upon which Renar depends. The Nuban says that Corion is “Renar’s shield” (282), so Jorg proposes to see him.

Jorg uses the Nuban’s crossbow, which he has shown to Corion, to gain entry to the capital. The two are left outside Corion’s door, and the sorcerer opens it and places them under his power.

Jorg and his companions return home, eager to share the news of their improbable defeat of the Castle Red. Jorg is eager to gloat over those who expected him to fail and die but cannot imagine how his father will react. He hopes that Katherine will be impressed.

Jorg and Makin leave the rest in the town outside the Tall Castle and continue to the court. At the court, Jorg looks for Sageous but is informed that the sorcerer is on a mission beyond Ancrath’s borders.