Summary
The Thicket council. Grimtold proposes a united Arla with a voice for every tribe; Pavik Shim attends 'to listen and be convinced' — then announces no one is leaving. The gathering of elders becomes a trap.
Detailed Narrative
The Thicket Tribe — goblins at its core, more than half of it exiles and escapees from other tribes — hosts under a truce: 'All who enter the Thicket Tribe are friends, there will be no fights... We are not here to judge past transgression but to forge together on a greater goal.'
Liekstride, the goblin elder and one of the oldest known alive, explains memory across reincarnations: trainings stay as muscle memory while early lives fade. The Thicket elder warns that it may be unwise for Finn to attend — he is a Gallund, and conflict with a Gallund at the meeting has been foreseen.
Representatives: Grimtold for Dark Moon (speaking for Macklot the Merciful, and plainly not a full admirer), Pavik Shim for Sparrow, Olek for Flaming Spear, the fairy Oona reluctantly for Deepwood, and Rhett with Stormcloud for Grey Bear. Grimtold proposes a united Arla where each tribe holds a seat. Oona asks who chooses the representatives; Stormcloud is sympathetic but doubts it can function.
Pavik's contempt shows: 'I have come to listen and be convinced. Tell me of your plans Grimtold... I do so enjoy fairy legs.' Then: 'Oh, I am so glad you are all here for a challenge. But I am afraid I can't let any of you leave.'
Around the camp the trap is visible to those looking: Incak walking a route and nodding to tense, ready men; a guard returned who should have been on the northern watch; Len, Finn's old lover, hidden to the southwest with orcs and goblins in the trees. Jack the Gobo has already left for Highwall, chasing a rumor that Admond is alive and traveling through the town.