Chapter 12 Overview

Erut finds himself in the depths of the Sifuti's hiding place. They, again, want to know why he was running away from his own fellow soldiers. He tells them he was set up in an internal feud. His words reveal the fact that he is not a typical loyal member of the fighting force and would prefer to just go back home to his home island of Kwanchu. He also reveals that his family are members of a counter-culture religion that was thought to be eradicated but, instead, was pushed further underground. He goes on to explain what his people believe. As they are talking news is revealed about the seige of Lyrin and his people. The Sifuti decide to risk a rescue mission.

Chapter 10 Overview

We are introduced to Fok Lyrin, a large scraggly old man with a knack for reminding fellow Myshkans about the injustices of being held captive by people from another planet. He manages to collect a small group of followers and takes them to the local sanctuary which is meant as a reprieve to the Myshkans since they are no longer allowed to go to their own main temple. There he erects temporary shelter for his followers in a depression around the sanctuary. The Kevutians discover the holdout and decide to lay siege to the whole group by surrounding them. He and his followers are slowly starving to death. The Kevutians, however, are not willing to risk massive bloodshed so a standoff with the defiant Myshkans is underway.

Chapter 9 Overview

Erut is thrown into the depths of the gorge. Fortunately for him the pack put onto him by the Sifutis turns out to be a kind of small parachute that opened when he frantically waved his arms. Now he finds himself gliding through the gorge instead of into it. Two of the Sifuti join him in flight and give him some field training. There is not much he needs to do except keep himself flying straight by adjusting a couple of cords attached to the chute above. He has time to get the hang of flying but not landing. He has to be captured in a large rope net in which he quickly finds himself entangled. The Sifuti cut him out of the mess but before he could even say thanks, the black hood is thrown over his head once again.

Chapter 8 Overview

Lagolen takes his children away from their home but not where his daughter Oyn'a thinks they were headed. Oyn'a asks her father about her mother and how she died but Lagolen is evasive. He says he wants to protect them but she rejects that. Lagolen relents and tells her about her mother. They are heade for one of the sanctuaries that have been built in each province as way to let the Myshkans practice their traditions without going to the main temple which has been taken over by the Kevutians. When they get to the sanctuary they think that they are being watched but find out instead that others are being watched. They observe the Sifuti runnig from the sanctuary just before it explodes. The Sifuti find the three and ask them to follow.

Chapter 7 Overview

In Chapter Seven we meet Rhian who is a Kevutian soldier assigned to the infamous detention center. He is known for his singular excellence in just one talent–the ability to torture people from many different worlds while getting them to talk. In the occupied collection of planets the Kevutians call The Conglomerate, Rhian has found plenty of victims to aid him in refining his skills. We see him applying his craft to yet another unfortunate Myshkan. Rhian describes to him how the Kevutians are doing them a favor by bringing their superior culture to them. Instead of trying to obtain information about the ongoing attempts at sabotage and disruption by the Kevutians, Rhian seems more interested in discussing outlawed ritual practices much to the consternation of superior officer listening quietly in the shadows. Despite his best efforts Rhian seems unable to get the prisoner to repent and his determination leads to disastrous results.

Book Three Chapter 6 Overview

Erut finds himself captured by three masked and dark clothed individuals who call themselves Sifuti. The Sifuti are rebels and saboteurs bent on making life for the occupying Kevutians challenging and inhospitable. They want to know why he is running away from his own fellow soldiers. Erut tells his story and claims that he was framed by another soldier then called to see the man in charge who is named Kotygal. The Sifuti want to know if Erut can be of any use to them. Erut doens't know how to answer the question and is unsure of his fate as the three masked people suit him up in a strange device and proceed to throw him over the edge of the narrow but deep chasm that runs through the center of their world. They call it simply The Gorge.

Book Three Chapter 5 Overview

Ony'a and her brother, Lagos, enter the main room where their father, Lagolen, is eating. He is a devout Yocugu, the religion of the people of Pa'Myshka. He is determined to fulfill his obligation to travel to Province One and pay honor to the main temple but the Kevutians have outlawed the practice. His children agree to accompany him but, before they can set out, a squad of Kevutian soldiers appear at their door demanding payment of the new state fees. Lagolen refuses to pay and ends in a scuffle with the three soldiers. Unknown to the soldiers, this family has been training to fight for some time having followed the old traditions of defending their province in ancient turf battles. The soldiers are easily defeated and Lagolen and his children decide to leave their home knowing they will not be able to return.