The resurrection is nearly complete. The group enters Conquera with Leylia using her senses to guide the group, but they are soon confronted by Ashram. Parn, Hobb, Deedlit, and Maar stay behind while an increasingly impatient Spark and the rest continue. Parn and Ashram engage in a swordfight as do Deedlit and Pirotess. Ashram explains his intentions of a safe home for the Marmo people. The reason behind the invasion was to escape their cursed island full of monsters and now Ashram intends to look for a safe place outside of Lodoss. They finish their fight and Ashram and Pirotess leave. Parn tells Hobb to follow his 'true hero' and Maar, looking to finish his ballad, joins him. The others reach a dead end but Garrack finds a secret staircase. At the bottom, they witness the near completion of the ceremony with Kardis having taken over Neese.