Essun recovers enough to walk on her own but lags behind the main group. Tonkee, Hjarka, Lerna, and Hoa keep pace with her while she gets back up to speed. One night, Essun discusses her plan to go after Nassun with Tonkee. Tonkee suggests she needs to wait and patch things up with Ykka first, but Essun worries that the longer she waits, the further Nassun will be from where she last sensed her. Tonkee asks what she plans to do once she saves Nassun, and if she wants to help Nassun or just be with her again. She points out that Nassun has survived on her own for more than 20 months, and since Essun sensed her near the eastern coast of the Antarctics, the Season would not be as bad there as it is where they are going. This causes Essun to reconsider her plans for the time being.

Before the caravan enters a stone forest that appears to have been created by an orogene, Essun decides it is time to talk to Ykka to patch things up. Ykka is debating whether they should go through or around the forest, but Essun confirms there are traps all around and that through is the only option.