When Maraly wakes to find Gammon in their camp, she shrieks and tries to attack him, but he restrains her until Janner assures her he is a friend. Gammon explains that Skree is in its current state because no one fought when the Fangs arrived. He alludes to a plan that could save Skree but gives no details, citing the betrayal of Migg Landers to justify his secrecy. He assures them of his loyalty. Privately, Maraly wonders whether Gammon is more dangerous than the mountains, but Janner decides to trust him.

The three travel together and reach the edge of a magnificent canyon with Mog-Balgrik towering in the distance. Janner feels he has seen Gammon before but cannot place him. They walk along the canyon rim, then climb the steep face of the Witch’s Nose as the sun sets. Gammon urges them to reach a cluster of boulders for shelter, as the snickbuzzards will emerge at dark. They reach the boulders and rest briefly, then run across the mountain face to outrace any snickbuzzards. Janner struggles to keep up. As they round the mountain, the moon illuminates the vast Ice Prairies below. Exhausted, Janner collapses, tripping Maraly. Gammon uncovers a boggan (a type of sled) just as a cloud of snickbuzzards descends.