Set in

Dorinda urgently tells Ego to summon their griffins to escape from Elite Vardum assassins. Hrothulf prepares his plasma rifle, and Dorinda suggests splitting up and reuniting at the ship. They engage in a battle with the assassins, using various tactics and spells. They manage to escape with the help of their griffins, Serafina and Fei. Darnit and Hrothulf continue the pursuit, while Dorinda and Ego try to isolate and incapacitate one of the assassins. Ego attempts to disrupt the assassins' mindlink but receives laser blasts in return. They reunite with their allies, encounter a storm, and meet Izar's sage master, Visparo. The group is joined by Dhund Hal Ka, and they are summoned by griffins to a cave. Ego and Dorinda go after a fallen assassin and successfully capture her. The chapter ends with a cliffhanger about the contents of the backpack.