The groups make amends in time for the Bright Moon Festival, during which the Flying Willowleaf Theater arrive and help celebrate by telling the legend of Swordbird, a giant dove-like bird of peace with magical powers.

The celebration is cut short when a group of Turnatt's soldiers attack, attempting to capture and enslave the two tribes and the members of the Flying Willowleaf Theater.

Shadow and his group attempt to light the Sunrise village on fire too, but are attacked by the tribe members and scattered.

With their leader dead, Turnatt's army leave and the birds of Stone-Run release all those enslaved in Fortress Glooming.

[1] Swordbird, a New York Times bestseller, was nominated for the Book Sense Children's Picks List for spring 2007.