Wolfsinger is plagued by some rats who seem intent upon doing bodily harm to him, but Winnowei makes an appearance, intervening. These rats turn out to be part of Jarik's "army", left to their own devices in Himar while he is away to Rephidim. Winnowei takes leave of the rats, to fulfil a "life-oath", going with Wolfsinger to return to a Jupani tribe, where Wolfsinger finds some things have changed during his absence