King Trindayl is slain, precipitating the Dwarf War. Elf Pindar learns his wife has fled Castle Wren and must be in the village Bloody Tunic. King Pren-Hooke of the halfbreed elves, once the humans learn of the hybrids' treachery in Copperweal, plans to eradicate the humans within his ranks, but Lord Brokil of the dwarven Clevrilites prevents that from happening.