Tanis chooses for the group. They will accept the task given to them by the Forestmaster. The Companions wonder at what exactly it is they must hunt down. The Forestmaster whisks them across the continent on pegasuses. Goldmoon and Riverwind experience serious trauma. Their acceptance of the blue crystal staff continues to have a high cost. The Companions hurry to meet the deadline set by the Forestmaster entering a dismal swamp. Before they can find the ruins of Xak Tsorath they're ambushed and defeated by Draconians