Fearful that Bear is a traitor to their cause, the three men have already been successful at severely wounding him with an arrow. Although Crispin has removed the shaft, he cannot cure the fever that begets his only source of safety.
Despite his fear of more harm, Crispin must trust Troth, the cleft-lipped girl who finds them in the woods, and Aude, the old hag who is something of a mid-wife physician. Before Bear can completely recuperate from his injury, Aude is murdered and the three men are found to be nearby. There is no choice except for Bear, Crispin and Troth to join together and head for the sea, what appears to be their only escape from their own untimely end.
