Rathi makes some halfhearted attempts at conversation with his new “companions”, but only Grig and N’serric (Jerek’s sword) speak to him, and only Grig does so with any measure of amiability. Jerek all but ignores the young boy, hardly even acknowledging when Rathi introduces himself. Finally Rathi gives up on trying to get anything remotely like an answer out of the dour warknight and falls silent, deciding that Grig is the only member of the bizarre trio that even cares Rathi is there, regardless of whatever “for old time’s sake” meant.
It’s to Rathi’s surprise then that Jerek shares a portion of his roasted game-bird without having to be asked or begged, but still without saying anything. The warknight also silently refuses Rathi’s apple and bread when the child attempts to share in turn. After the meal, Rathi falls asleep while Jerek is still cleaning up their leavings, lulled by the heat of the fire and exhausted by the day.
In the morning, around sunrise, Rathi awakes faced with cooling embers and for a moment is certain he was left behind, as Jerek is nowhere in sight, but then he realizes N’serric is still thrust sentry into the ground and Grig is sitting close to the remains of the fire. When Rathi attempts to speak, Grig gently shushes him. It is then Rathi realizes he can hear the sound of a flute on the wind. He gets up to investigate but N’serric chastises him more harshly and makes him stay put.
Eventually Jerek returns, as silent and inscrutable as he was the evening before. Rathi notes that one of the myriad carrying cases on the warknight's belt is the right size for a flute, but takes N'serric's earlier warning to heart and does not ask any questions.