Koen faces up to Waruu again and, more powerful than before, is ready to destroy Waruu's processing facility and the cultural genocide it stands for. Nerida, having escaped from the Containment Authority, tracks Waruu down and confronts him about everything he has done to her and Alinta, including abandoning them like a coward when they were under attack. But he will not release their daughter into Nerida's care.

Araluen and Boondee, reunited at last, must both make a decision about who they really are. The devious Macintyre agrees to track down Charlotte and bring her back to Slade, so takes Boondee with him as his guide in the dangerous lands of the Bindawu. There is an even longer-awaited reunion awaiting Boondee in the forest, while Charlotte is permitted by the Bindawu to return home and try to persuade Slade to stop his plans and leave them in peace. But Charlotte has no idea how committed Slade is to his dream. Show less