Meanwhile, the Dunedain Rangers have captured a major knight of the PPA leading a band of raiders into their territory and take him to Corvallis for his trial.

Months later, Lord Protector Norman Arminger finally begins his war against the Bearkillers, Mount Angel, and Clan Mackenzie.

The Central Oregon Ranchers Association also pitches in, sending a few hundred light cavalrymen to help the MacKenzies break the siege of Mount Angel.

A Ranger rescue mission to free Rudi, led by Astrid Larsson, arrives during the skirmish between the PPA factions, but Tiphaine is already victorious.

Lord Bear Mike Havel, feeling that the allies may lose the battle, publicly challenges Arminger to a personal duel.

Havel, however, is fatally wounded during the battle, and after giving his final orders and messages to his family and closest friends, he dies.

At the end of the book, Juniper has a vision during a Wiccan ceremony of an adult Rudi, leading a massive army, that is shouting his craft-name, "Artos.