Luna worries about Xan, who has been sick since they returned from their journey. That night Luna allows Fyrian to sleep with her if he promises not to snore. Fyrian wishes his mother were still alive so he could have another dragon to talk to and learn from, though he hastens to add that he loves Luna and Glerk and Auntie Xan. Fyrian does snore, and his hot breath gives Luna a little burn. She yells at him to leave, and Fyrian vanishes. He dreams of his mother and watches as she and the old man riding her plunge into the volcano. The dream leaves “an ache in his heart” (171).

When Fyrian awakens, he feels strange and his wings don’t work. He is alone in the dark woods with no idea how he got there. Coming across a ruined village and tower, Fyrian remembers his mother introducing Xan, the little girl with “starlight hair” and freckles, who would take care of him. Fyrian reaches into the tower’s remains and finds a pair of boots. They look like the Seven League Boots the magicians studied. Fyrian hears a growl and fears the tigers roaming the woods.