Francisco has a strange dream that seems to deal with a place back on his homeworld, though it has allusions to his present situation on Sinai. However, no sensible interpretations present themselves, and the fox wakes up, finding that the bandages on his neck – covering a wound he has had for about a month now – are in need of changing again.

Amaranth's spirit suggests to Francisco that there is a prime opportunity to get even with the fox's nemesis – a spoiled young poodle named Eustace do Varr. Francisco seems more concerned about his wound, though, so the spirit suggests that a trip to visit a physician may be in order instead. She also demonstrates to him one of the powers of the staff he acquired in the Old Cemetery: Under the fox's command, it shifts from its true appearance, covered with sigils and signs of Dagh and other dark entities, resembling a more humble wooden staff instead.