Zoltan assigns Wynona to conjure up a storm to hold off the Silent Ones and Imperials from bombing the Pit of Himar and the Winged Citadel into oblivion, while he and Kensington – accompanied reluctantly by Herbir – fly to the Southern Star to find the five Silent Ones rescued from the Progenitor.

While Sir Malachite goes to the Imperial camp to try to speak terms of peace, Kensington and Zoltan head over to the camp of the Silent Ones, bringing their rescued brethren. Bringer-of-Light – one of the cheetahs – fingers Herbir as the one who led the Overseer's forces against the Citadel of the Morning. Son-of-Swords, upon hearing Zoltan's claim to have slain the Progenitor, challenges him to a duel … and has a Titan pilot, Bearer-of-Arms, act as his champion.

Zoltan, although encased in the armor of the Champion of Shadows, is much smaller and less powerful than the Titan. However, Kensington still has the memories he gained from the Progenitor of a pilot of one of these machines, and uses it to shout advice to the hippogryph. Against all odds, and after taking damage that would kill a normal man, Zoltan takes the Titan down … thus earning an audience with the Silent Ones.

Representatives of the various warring factions gather together to hear Zoltan's speech, and he manages to convince them to call a truce, and to try working together to preserve the Pit of Himar. Evidence is that it will be a very uneasy truce at best, and there's no telling how long it will last. Zoltan faces his father again, urging him to return with him to Sinai, but Herbir desires some time alone, being quite overwhelmed by the changes in his son – whom he has not seen for so many years.