Joia wakes before dawn, aware that she has promised to bring the stone to the Monument in four days. She oversees final preparations, including carving the roasted pig for the volunteers. As daylight spreads, people gather in large numbers, and Joia recognizes that her hopes have been met. 

Familiar faces appear among the volunteers, including her friends, herders, miners, and several farmers such as Duff. The mood is festive and energetic, with priestesses distributing pork and excitement spreading through the crowd. As sunrise approaches, Joia leads the ceremony and then calls the volunteers to depart. Scagga attempts to block them, shouting that “too many” (433) are going. Joia confidently insists they are within the limit he set, knowing he cannot count the crowd. The volunteers ignore him, laughing and pushing past. Dee openly confronts Scagga, humiliating him in front of everyone and forcing him to retreat. Joia is shaken but relieved, while also newly aware of her growing attraction to Dee.

The march begins along Seft’s prepared track. Villagers come out to cheer and the volunteers treat the journey as an extension of the festival, singing marching songs and bawdy verses.