- Katsa and Bitterblue observe an inn from the cover of the woods. They've made it through the mountains to Sunder (perhaps this is why Part III is called "The Shifting World"), but they don't want to blow it by running into someone under Leck's influence who might know they're on the run.
- They don't think it's safe to approach, so instead Katsa steals a few eggs and pumpkins and they head for a household they know is friendly to the Council.
- Thankfully they recognize Katsa because of the Council and they don't get a lot of news from Monsea, so they haven't been influenced by Leck's mind manipulating Grace.
- They give Katsa and Bitterblue food, clothing, and shelter, and Katsa and Bitterblue give them the truth about Leck—they have to start spreading that news if they ever hope to take him down. If people start to recognize his manipulations, they might stand a better chance of seeing through them.
- Still, to be on the safe side Katsa keeps a few things from them (what they don't know they can't blab): She doesn't tell them where she and Bitterblue are headed, and she doesn't tell them that Po is alive and in hiding, instead making them believe that he died after being shot by the king's guards.
- Katsa and Bitterblue go to sleep, planning to wake early the next morning and head for the port, where they will find passage to Lienid.