Rory and Reece, along with a small group of Lacinus guard-guides travel towards the Niton's home. The day is hot, the grass long, and little progress seems to be made. Rory maintains a shade spell, and a small shadow-sprite he calls Mister Nasty, while the Lacinus walk or lope, and Reece is carried along.
Later, it is nearly night, and the group is still travelling when there is a noise the same as when the 'Carpenter Beetles of Doom' attacked the airship. Snaptooth orders everyone down on the ground, but the bug still finds them. Rory unleashes Mr. Nasty, which grows into a huge shadow beast with a gaping maw that snaps up the bug. The insect flees, and the Lacinus are almost nearly as frightened. Rory convinces them it was a friend, and the party decides to try and make the Lacinus' home village before dark.