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The issue opens up with Barak sailing on a make shift raft with Coron as his prisoner. Coron tries to convince Barak to touch the Grail of Darkness himself, and to drink from it. Barak silences Coron with a stern warning. Coron however doesn’t listen, and mentions that King Belgur will undoubtedly kill Barak when he learns that it was Yerdik – one of Barak’s own men – who murdered Avienne.
Barak punches Coron, knocking him out.
Barak comes upon some of the search party that had been sent to find him by King Belgur. With their assistance he is taken back to King Belgur to deliver the Grail of Darkness, as well as the news of what had happened during the expedition.
Barak informs King Belgur that he had the expedition completely under control, until a pack of Ged worshippers attacked him from the back. He explains that only through his fighting skill he was able to survive, and that both Yerdik and Avienne were murdered by the Ged followers. He then asks that King Belgur forgives him for failing to save Avienne.
King Belgur brushes off the concern about Avienne, saying there was more where she came from – and then promptly asks for the Grail of Darkness. The Grail is brought in tied around Coron’s neck. King Belgur has one of his men cut it from there – after Barak explains that Coron had tried to drink it. King Belgur then grabs the Grail, just as Barak warns him of the curse. Like his concern for Avienne, King Belgur brushes it away as meaningless stating that rumors were made to frighten children and keep lesser men from greater destiny.
King Belgur drinks deeply from the Grail and immediately feels the power coursing through his body. He tells Barak to rouse the men in Baali and Belshazaar – and spread the news that the Grail is theirs – and tonight they march on the City of Liam!
The scene shifts to the Temple of Vesta in the City of Liam where Guryd confesses his sins to a Priestess of Vesta. The Priestess tells Guryd that Vesta hears his pleas for forgiveness, but she requires that Guryd share his sins with the people of Liam as well as the Council, so that all are aware of Belgur’s plans. But Guryd explains that he can’t because they still hold his daughter prisoner. However, Erikor spies on Guryd through magic and learns the truth.
The scene shifts to Sultar paying Helva a visit. He confides in her that in order to gain membership into the Temple of Baal, he is required to kill an innocent citizen. Sultar explains that he can’t do it and he doesn’t know what to do. Helva assures him that sometimes life takes care of itself. And almost on cue, a Baal soldier enters Helva’s tent and demands a reading, shoving Sultar aside. Helva tells the soldier to wait, but he refuses to listen. She then asks him to draw a card – and she gives the reading that he will suffer humiliation, dishonor and a violent death. Displeased with the reading the soldier grabs Helva – Sultar warns the soldier to leave her be, but he smacks Sultar away. Sultar stands once again and gives another warning, his hands burning with flame. He throws a melted item at the soldier – the heat immediately melting the soldier’s face away, killing him in a most painful manner. Helva then smiled at Sultar and said, “Well, it seems you now have the heretic you needed to murder” knowing that no one would be able to recognize the Baal soldier’s face.
The scene shifts to Sultar dragging the corpse, looking proud and bold, and dropping it in front of Priest Muar. The Priest, somewhat horrified by the victim’s face, looks to Sultar and finally agrees to let him into the Temple of Baal. Sultar grins and says, “Thank you Priest Muar. I promise you many more just like that one I killed today.”
The scene shifts to Erikor and Relk heading to Guyrd’s home. They arrive and meet with his wife, Lophita, who informs them that Guyrd had just left with a few soldiers of Baal. Erikor then asks if their daughter is home and Lophita confirms that she’s been gone for some time now.
The scene shifts to Shadolok, Eyamma, Bladehelm and Nightwind seeking refuge from the storm that batters the Angora Jungle. Bladehelm curses his blindness. Shadolok asks Eyamma what he thinks of Bladehelm’s blindness; and Eyamma tells him that he had hoped his vision would return by now, but offers to find herbs in the Angora Jungle that may yet help him. When Eyamma leaves, Nightwind regains consciousness. Bladehelm hearing her tries to find his way to her to talk to her but ends up falling in the river, uninjured. Sometime later Eyamma returns with the herbs to help with Bladehelm’s vision.
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