Willow travels to Naochi Principality, at the eastern edge of Kroz, accompanied by Burr (her Savanite slave), Copy (a blind Gallah mutt), Testament-Blaze (the Abaddonian "Silent Ones" cheetah priest), and a Kavi driver who likes to talk at length (and quickly). They are halted by a rughrat herd being moved across the road, and Willow hears a couple of musicians – a foppish fox bard, and a rat shepherd playing pipes.

Willow talks to the bard and shepherd, and when the fox hears Willow's name, he starts singing a song about a "Will o' Wisp". It soon becomes evident, however, that the shepherds are not what they appear, as the shepherd boy offers to give Willow's group "protection" for its journey to Naochi Castle. A fight ensues, but Copy takes out the shepherd boy in a sneak attack, and Willow deals with a couple of rock-slinging "snipers" before Burr can reach (or find) them.

Willow heads down to a stream to clean herself off after the fight, and hears the sound of a maiden's voice, singing. She follows the voice, and comes across the crumbling remnants of a basket in the bushes, and finds a blanket inside. She investigates, and discovers the emblem of the Naochi household dyed into the blanket.