The Sartan council meet the mensch on Surunan, and the mensch are horrified at the Sartans' arrogance and superior attitude towards them. The Sartans are angry that the three races are allied with the dragon-snakes, and refuse to let the mensch settle on Surunan, even though there is more than enough room for them to settle there. Haplo's dog refuses to leave Alfred and return to Haplo. The mensch declare that they will try to take land on Surunan by force, and Samah declares war on them in return. The mensch return to Draknor. Alake, Grundle and Devon follow Haplo when he sneaks off in the night to talk to the dragon-snakes. Haplo wants the mensch to weaken the Sartan by flooding Surunan with seawater then move in peacefully, because he thinks they couldn't easily survive open warfare with the Sartan.