Baron Meliadus is summoned to an audience with King-Emperor Huon, where he is threatened with dismissal if he does not learn the means of the escape of the Asiacommunista emissaries.

Hawkmoon attempts to break free from his destiny by sailing to Europe, but finds his way blocked by numerous sea creatures which drive their ship to crash upon an island.

On the island Hawkmoon and D'Averc meet the Warrior in Jet and Gold's brother Orland Fank, who gives them a boat to continue on their original journey to the city of Dnark.

There they meet a child called Jehamia Cohnahlias who confirms that this is the city of Dnark – the home of the mythical Runestaff and inhabited by the ghostly forms of the Great Good Ones.

The next day Shenegar Trott leads an army to capture Dnark, threatening to kill Jehamia Cohnahlias if Hawkmoon tries to stop him claiming the Runestaff.

Huon orders Meliadus's loyalty tested on the Mentality Machine but Baron Kalan agrees to doctor the results.

Overwhelmed with grief at D'Averc's death Flana stops the fighting and orders Kalan to remove the Black Jewel from Hawkmoon's head.

Flana vows to make amends for Granbretan's evil and Orland Fank takes the Runestaff, the Red Amulet, and the Sword of the Dawn into safekeeping, till Hawkmoon should need them again.