Pindar and Poscoe, whose unborn son is the promised King of the Elves, are captured by Couvre and the pilgrims of village Bloody Tunic, seized for the cruel purposes of god Rigor. But a mysterious bald figure rescues the pair and liberates them. They flee, but the village succumbs to the armies of Rigor and his allies. Bertyl, the dwarf guilty of killing Trindayl the king of Sturm, fears there are traitors among his twelve lieutenants. Bertyl orders Thokil the Elder to interrogate each. Including his son Thokil the Younger.