Blood on the Plains

**Blood on the Plains** - is the third book in the Curse of the Sandtongue arc

* Prance is featured on the cover.

## Blurb

**The thrilling third installment in the latest arc of BRAVELANDS! Set in the African highlands and told from three different animals’ points of view, dedicated fans and readers new to the Bravelands world will love this exciting new adventure.**

Bravelands is in turmoil. With Thorn dead, the animals of the plains desperately search for the next Great Parent, a role Prance is afraid to fill.

Chase hides in plain sight amidst Grandmother’s most loyal creatures, praying that the terrible antidote she’s discovered will continue to hold the snake’s power over her at bay. And Bramble finds himself up against a foe he couldn’t have imagined: his own poisoned troop. Can these three unlikely allies stop the great serpent before her venom corrupts them all?

**Full of epic adventure and thrilling intrigue, this new Bravelands adventure will thrill readers who love the Spirit Animals and Wings of Fire series, as well as the legion of dedicated fans who’ve made Erin Hunter a bestselling phenomenon.**

## Plot

### Prologue

Windrider's point of view.

Windrider soars across Bravelands alongside her great-great-grandchick Stormrider. They watch the animals mourning Great Father Thorn, to which Stormrider asks if it will be like last time. Windrider tells her that the new Great Parent will be found when the time is right. Windrider then tells the history of the Great Spirit.

Long ago a vulture found an egg that was not a vulture's egg. Just before she was about to eat the egg, she heard a voice speaking to her. The voice told her not to eat the egg, but instead care for it. When the egg hatched it was empty. Though not visible, the Great Spirit hatched out of the egg. And the vulture became the first Great Mother.

Windrider and Stormrider fly towards the Mountain. Stormrider mentions that the air feels strange on the Mountain. Windrider agrees, saying that something terrible is coming. Windrider senses that her death is coming and tells Stormrider that the future of the vultures will be in her talons.

### Chapter 1

Chase's point of view.

Chase and Burbarktroop perform their ritual. Chase reminds herself that she has done this ritual a dozen times, but it never gets easier to force herself to submit. She then falls to her belly and lets the snakes bite and spread their venom into her. A Blackback pulls Chase away and tells her to listen for Grandmother's voice. The ritual continues as the gorillas wait their turn to be bitten. Chase notices the sheer amount of gorillas in Burbarktroop and mentions how they conquered all other gorilla troops on the Mountain. Chase tries to sneak away to find rot-meat, that would cure her of the venom. A Goldback stops her and asks where Burbark is, to which Chase replies that he must be in the caves. Burbark doesn't attend the rituals anymore, and Chase suspects that he is getting his own venom from a more potent source

Grandmother then whispers into Chase's head '*Blood will flood the plains*'. Both Chase and the Goldback repeat Grandmother's words. Chase tells the Goldback that she has to hunt and she leaves. Chase travels to the waterfall where she meets Shadow and Seek. They bring her rot-meat to which Chase eats. Seek nuzzles her and asks her if she is feeling well. Shadow and Seek are both concerned for her and want her to leave Burbarktroop. Chase refuses saying that she needs to know what Burbark and Grandmother are plotting.

Something moves in the trees and Chase tells them to run. A patrol of Blackbacks pass by and don't pay any heed towards Chase. When they leave, Chase sighs and tells herself that she can't keep this up forever.

### Chapter 2

Bramble's point of view.

Bramble watches various animals come to the Great Father Clearing to mourn and pay their respects to Thorn. Mud sits silently next to the grave as Bramble gives him fresh foliage to cover Thorn. Bramble doesn't know what to do. He reminds himself why he and his sister, Moonflower, came, and how Dayflower read a message in the Spirit Mouth that told them to warn the Great Father. He then stares at the snakeskin that Mud is trying to keep secret from the rest of Bravelands.

Bramble hears footsteps and looks outside to see Sky and the Strider Family approaching the grave. She lets out a sad bellow and announces that she will bring Thorn's bones to the Plain of Our Ancestors where he can lie beside his predecessors and his dear friend Fearless. As Sky takes Thorn's body, Prance approaches Bramble and asks him if he is alright. He tells her that he does not know what to do, to which Prance replies that they are where they're supposed to be and that they must trust the Great Spirit. Bramble feels better and then leaves to find his sister Moonflower.

### Chapter 3

Prance's point of view.

Prance walks beside Sky and Gallant as the Strider Family takes Thorn's body. As Prance walks beside them she notices that the place on her chest where Thorn had placed his hand feels warm. She wonders if Thorn had given her the Great Spirit. Prance hasn't found the perfect moment to tell the others what had happened to her before Thorn died. Prance refuses to believe that she is the new Great Parent and reminds herself that Sky was the carrier of the Great Spirit until she found the Great Parent. She decides to join the Strider Family on their journey to the Plain of Our Ancestors hoping that she would be able to tell Sky everything. Prance also considers if the Great Spirit is steering her towards the elephants because Sky could be the new Great Parent.

However, Prance does not get a chance to speak with Sky because the Strider Family stopped as little as possible during the journey. They travel through the shortest route by crossing the territories of hyenas and other predators, which Prance reflects that a lone gazelle would normally avoid or run for their lives. As the travelers reach the entrance to the Plain of Our Ancestors, Gallant warns Prance that they should stay outside the elephant graveyard as it is a sacred place for the elephants. Prance hears a cry and looks up to see vultures circling in the sky. Sky tells her that Windrider probably sent them to see that Thorn was put to rest.

After Prance and Gallant say their goodbyes to Thorn before Sky takes him into the graveyard, Gallant asks Prance if she could travel in her shadow form to search for his stolen son, Terror. Prance agrees and enters her shadow form to which she finds Menacepride near the mpaga forest. Prance finds Terror picking over the bones of some prey. Terror then tries to pounce on a snake slithering near the sleeping lions but fails. The snake bites Mauler and he yowls. Terror quickly grabs the snake and kills it, then asks if Mauler is alright. Mauler responds by asking why there are so many snakes these days. Menace enters the conversation by mentioning how snakes wouldn't normally attack lions, and that something is up. Terror tells Menace that it doesn't bother him and that he likes the taste of snakes. Prance, having seen enough, returns to her body and tells Gallant that his cub is doing fine.

Sky returns from the Plain of Our Ancestors, and tells the others that they will rest for the night. Prance sees this as an opportunity to talk to Sky and approaches her asking what it was like carrying the Great Spirit. Sky responds that it felt odd as if it protected her but she also protected it. Prance continues by asking how she knew she wasn't the Great Parent. Sky answers by saying that she wondered, however, the one thing that all Great Parents had in common was their ability to understand both skytongue and sandtongue, to which Sky admits she never had this skill. After hearing this, a nightjar tells Prance that Sky is right. Another nightjar then tells Prance that she must accept it soon because Bravelands can't wait long. Prance, confused as to why she can understand skytongue, turns to Sky only to realize that Sky doesn't hear the birds. Gallant lies down beside Sky and ponders if the next Great Parent is a hippo or rhino. Sky chuckles while Prance weakly laughs. Prance then asks herself how she can tell them that instead of a hippo or rhino, the Great Spirit might have chosen her.

### Chapter 4

Chase's point of view.

Chase pretends to be busy gnawing bones while she is spying on Burbarktroop. She realizes that Shadow and Seek are right and that she can't keep this up much longer. Chase contemplates if she should leave. She then realizes that the gorillas are frozen and are listening to Grandmother. Chase too listens to Grandmother's voice in her head. Grandmother tells them that the time has come and that they should gather with her. The gorillas alongside Chase eerily march toward the Spirit Mouth. Burbarktroop and Chase stop outside the cave.

Burbark comes out of the cave holding an enormous shed snakeskin and announces that Grandmother has been born anew. The gorillas cheer and Burbark continues saying that he has guarded Grandmother as she grew bigger and more powerful and tells his troop that it is time to march down into the plains. The gorillas stop cheering and a blackback hesitantly states that the gorillas have always lived on the Mountain and asks about their mantra. Burbark tells his troop that Grandmother has explained to him that they have misunderstood the mantra, '*Blood pools on the plains*', and that the real meaning is that the blood that pools on the plains will be the blood of their enemies. Another goldback asks Burbark about Kigelia and how he led them from the plains generations ago. Burbark responds by saying that it is time for them to return and face what Kigelia could not by purifying the plains.

Chase, alarmed by the sudden decision to conquer the plains, tries to plan her escape. However, Burbark singles Chase out and tells her that Grandmother has a special task for her. Chase is reluctant to help Grandmother but realizes that if she refuses, the surrounding gorillas will kill her. Burbark explains to her that she will personally act as an escort and protector for Grandmother as she journeys to the plains. Chase asks why she is chosen instead of a gorilla, to which Burbark explains that she is the only one small enough to fit through the tunnels. Chase feels ill after understanding that she and Grandmother will be traveling underground. Grandmother's voice tells her not to be afraid and to come to her and be her teeth and claws. Chase swallows her fear and enters the Spirit Mouth pondering if Grandmother knows she is not fully under her control and if this is a trap. Burbark gives her a warning by telling her to guard their mistress with her life. Chase enters a warm dark cavern and feels Grandmother's tongue flicking her ear. Grandmother thanks Chase and tells her that they have a long path to travel.

### Chapter 5

Bramble's point of view.

Bramble walks through the Baboon Forest and hears the quizzical exclamations of the baboons from Dawntrees Troop. He finds Moonflower sitting with Moth and Spider. As he approaches, Moonflower tells him that Moth was showing her how her stones work and mentions that they are similar to interpreting the Spirit Mouth. Moth rolls the stones and stares at the pattern intently. Watching this, Bramble reflects upon how he never understood how Moonflower and Dayflower could read patterns from steam. Moth sighs, claiming that she can see something but she doesn't understand what it means, she then mentions that Mud still has a lot to teach her. Spider comforts his daughter by telling her that he had spent time with tortoises and that they don't believe in worrying about the future. Moonflower dejects wishes that her mother were able to teach her to be a real mistback. Moth sympathizes with Moonflower and Bramble asks his sister if they can talk in private.

Brambletells Moonflower about his uncertainty about staying in the plains and asks his sister if they should leave and go back to the Mountain. Moonflower tells him that she had another vision last night and saw steam covering the stars as well as the boulder resembling Kigelia walking away from the Mountain and towards the plains. She explains to Bramble that she didn't tell him because she didn't know what it means, but feels that their place, for now, remains on the plains. Moth interrupts by swinging in the trees and telling Moonflower to look up. Moonflower and Bramble follow her up the trees and into the canopy where they see a wisp of smoke rising from the Mountain in the distance. Moonflower interprets the smoke as a sign of the Great Spirit's approval of her decision to remain on the plains.

As they climb back down from the tree, Mud approaches Bramble by telling him that he has consulted his stones and that they confirmed his suspicions that he had for some time. He then reveals that he has found the next Great Parent and that it is Bramble. Moonflower hugs her brother as Mud explains to him that the Great Spirit has brought him here not to be Thorn's savior but his successor. Bramble wonders if he can talk to birds and see through other creatures' eyes. Mud asks if Bramble will lead them through these dark times as any Great Father would, to which Bramble promises he will do his best.

### Chapter 6

Prance's point of view.

Prance walks beside the Strider Family and Gallant as they return to the Great Father Clearing. Although it is supposed to be a quiet morning, Prance can hear the birds' chatter. A bright red songbird fledgling named Chichi lands on her horns and greets her whilst asking what Prance plans to do about the snakes and if it is true that she can see through their shadows. An older songbird chastises Chichi for pestering the Great Mother. As Prance continues to walk, a flock of spurfowl greets her and a small group of sunbirds congratulates her. Prance feels dejected that she is not the custodian for the Great Spirit but the next Great Parent. The travelers approach a watering hole, and Prance and Gallant drink from the water. Prance addresses Gallant, ready to tell him her secret, however, Gallant snarls and pounces on a crocodile that was behind Prance.

Gallant tells Prance to run, however, the crocodile begs for his life and claims that he is not cursed. Being able to understand sandtongue, Prance hears the crocodile's pleas and tells Gallant not to hurt him. She then approaches the crocodile and asks him if he won't bite them if they let him go. The crocodile agrees and explains that it was never his intention to hurt them and that he was hoping that they would help him find his father. Prance tells Gallant to release the crocodile to which Gallant asks her why and how she is able to understand it. Prance pleas once more to Gallant, to which he eventually releases the crocodile. The crocodile thanks Prance and introduces himself as Chew. He then asks Prance if she has seen his father. Prance claims that she doesn't know any crocodiles to which Chew dismisses her response by saying that his father is a baboon named Spider. Prance surprised at hearing this asks the crocodile if he is sure that Spider is his father. Gallant, hearing Prance's response, is concerned if she is alright. Chew ignores this and continues by saying that he needs to tell his father about how the rest of his bask is cursed. Prance inquires if they have changed their personalities and started to hear a voice in their head, to which Chew confirms this. Gallant, confused as to how Prance can understand the crocodile, asks her how she can do this. Prance responds by saying she is the Great Mother.

A flock of weaver birds cries for Prance as they land around her. They tell Prance that they wanted to warn her as soon as possible that Mud has chosen the wrong Great Parent and that he plans to anoint Bramble instead of her. Prance understanding the gravity of the situation, tells Gallant to inform Sky as she begins to gallop after the weaver birds across the plains.

### Chapter 7

Chase's point of view.

Grandmother guides Chase through the tunnels under the mountains. Chase seeing Grandmother's enormous size, wonders if she grew larger since the last time Chase saw her. As they travel down the tunnel, Chase feels the air getting hotter and she smells an acrid scent in the tunnels. She asks Grandmother how long the tunnels are and where do they lead, to which Grandmother responds by saying that the tunnels were made by her ancestors.

Chase further inquires Grandmother about her ancestors until Grandmother tells Chase about the fire snake who laid her eggs under the Mountain before any other creatures existed. The fire snake curled around her eggs keeping them safe until the time came and the eggs hatched. A thousand of the fire snake's children emerged and went to find their homes in the world. The came from the Mountain, burrowing through the earth and streaming over the land until the only sign of their legacy left are the tunnels dug into the earth of Bravelands. Chase asks Grandmother what happened to the fire snakes. Grandmother tells her that their bodies cooled and that they grew fur, legs, and wings until they became the creatures of Bravelands. Grandmother further mentions that at first the creatures paid homage to their empress but soon after they have forgotten the truth. She then tells Chase that they are going to the plains to bring the truth about their rightful ruler, so that they will remember their grandmother.

Chase tells Grandmother that the leopards have a similar legend involving fire, however Grandmother dismisses her tale by saying that ignorance flourishes in weak minds. They enter a cavern to which Grandmother tells Chase to rest and make sure that nothing disturbs her sleep as she slithers into an adjoining cavern. Chase contemplates weather she can escape through the tunnels but decides it is too risky to attempt. As Grandmother enters the cavern, Chase realizes that Grandmother looks larger and her scales more vivid. Grandmother informs Chase that she has shed her skin and that she is shedding more frequently, to which Grandmother claims that she will soon be too large to travel through the tunnels and that when sun no longer shines in the daytime, she will shed her last skin and her scales will become invincible. Grandmother then tells Chase to take the tunnel that is sloping upwards, saying that she needs to take care of an ancient enemy.

### Chapter 8

Bramble's point of view.

Bramble stands before the creatures of Bravelands at the Watering Hole. His sister Moonflower asks if he is ready, to which he replies he will try his best. Bramble joins Mud on a boulder overseeing the Watering Hole, and notices Mud's worried face. Bramble asks him if something is wrong, and follows Mud's gaze to the vultures circling the sky. Mud claims that the vultures seem to be staying in the sky, and that they are probably afraid to land because of the sandtongue curse. Mud continues by saying that normally a Great Parent would use the birds to summon all the creatures to the ceremony, but he concludes that it won't matter since the word will spread. Bramble is reassured until Moonflower asks him if he had understood any skytounge yet. Bramble tells her that no birds have spoken to him perhaps because they don't he is the Great Father yet.

Mud announces the crowd of animals and tells the that the Great Spirit has chosen the next Great Parent with the strength to unite the plains and the Mountain. Bramble looks around the animals and realizes that a Great Gathering is rather peaceful in contrast to what the gorillas on the Mountain thought about the plains. Mud continues by telling the gathered animals that the Great Spirit sent Mud a sign showing Thorn facing the sun with a grand shadow looming behind him. Mud concludes that nothing is more similar to the large shadow of a baboon than a gorilla. He then directs Bramble to wade into the Watering Hole as the previous Great Parents have done. Mud also instructs the hippo, Gentle Breeze, and her herd to guard Bramble against any crocodiles in the water. Once Bramble wades into the water he asks the creatures if they accept him as Great Father. A couple of animals step forward and accept him until suddenly snakes attack the Great Gathering.

The animals of Bravelands fall into panic and the hippos almost crush Bramble trying to protect him from the threat. A snake grabs hold of Bramble's arm and slithers around his neck and tries to choke him. A hippo named Distant Star prepares to lunge at the snake but is stopped by Gentle Breeze's warning, claiming that it would kill him. Bramble sinks underwater and sees a crocodile coming right for him. But the crocodile instead clamps its jaws on the snake and helps Bramble swim to the surface. Moonflower pulls Bramble out of the water with the help of a lioness named Valor. The baboons notice the crocodile in the water and Mud orders Gentle Breeze to kill it. Spider stops them from doing so by stating that the crocodile is his son, Chew. Chew tells Spider about the real Great Parent, to which Spider directs the attention of the others toward the plains, where Prance and Gallant are running to them. Gallant declares that Prance is the Great Mother and the birds of Bravelands land beside Prance and the gathered animals.

### Chapter 9

Prance's point of view.

Prance faces the gathered animals and tells Mud that Thorn has passed the Great Spirit onto her before he died. She also explains that she was unsure of what it meant, and believed that she was a custodian of the Great Spirit like Sky was. But she tells him that she now knows that she is the Great Mother. Mud realizing his mistake, not only apologizes to Prance but also claims that he had misinterpreted his stones and made assumptions based on his prejudices. Prance forgives Mud and appoints him as her Starleaf. Bramble renounces his mistaken title and accepts Prance as the Great Mother. He then suggests having a ceremony, however Mud worries it might be too dangerous. Moth suggests having the ceremony elsewhere to which Prance hears a voice agreeing with Moth. Prance then sees Thorn's spirit walking among the creatures.

Thorn tells Prance that the ceremony at the Watering Hole is a tradition that she can later resurrect, he then points towards the trees and claims that it's a good place. Prance follows Thorn's spirit alongside the rest of the gathered animals. In the trees, she sees the many spirits of previous Great Parents. The living creatures form a ring together with the spirits of Great Parents. Prance in the center feels the Great Spirit lift her up as Mud anoints her as Great Mother. At the end of the ritual, the animals of Bravelands hail her as Great Mother and Thorn's spirit tells her to look towards the Mountain and wishes her luck.

Prance tells Mud that she received a message and must investigate the Mountain. She then enters the Shadow Realm and runs to the Mountain. She feels the earth vibrate from the pounding of gorillas and witnesses Grandmother's gorilla army. She returns to her body and tells the others about the approaching threat. Bramble exclaims that it is exactly what the prophecy warned about and evil is spreading from the Mountain. Bramble then offers to try to talk to his father and Burbarktroop in hopes of coming to a truce. Mud insists on joining and bringing strong baboons from Dawntrees Troop. Prance wishes them good luck.

### Chapter 10

Chase's point of view.

Chase and Grandmother climb out of the tunnel and into a ravine. Chase contemplates escaping but decides its safer to stay with Grandmother for now. Grandmother tells Chase to look towards the Mountain, in which Chase sees smoke coming from the peak. Grandmother says the smoke is a child of the fire snake and that it is rising to battle the skytounge. Grandmother then concludes that neither land nor air will escape the fire snake's coils. Chase hopes that Shadow and Seek had the sense to leave the Mountain. Grandmother tells Chase that there are enemies around them and that they should be silent, Chase then follows her as she slithers through the shadows of the jagged cliffs.

Wide boiling shallow pools dot the mountaintop and Chase sees a flock of vultures gathered around one of the pools with arching stones. Grandmother orders Chase to be still, as she slithers behind the vultures ready to strike them. However, Chase sabotages Grandmother's plan by kicking a stone to alert the vultures. The vultures try to escape, but Grandmother manages to swallow a few and break the wing of an elderly vulture. The younger vultures dive down and try to mob Grandmother in order to rescue their elder. The elder vultures manages to pluck Grandmother's left eye, permanently blinding the snake. The vultures also mob Chase, which leads her into a blind charge over the cliff.

Chase falls unconscious, but when she wakes she hears Grandmother talking to the elderly vulture, calling her Windrider, and telling her to lie down and die. Chase realizes that the vultures hurt Grandmother badly by tearing out her scales and injuring one of her eyes, however they paid a terrible price and the pool is littered with their corpses. Grandmother notices Chase and tells her to kill Windrider. Chase is reluctant to kill an innocent creature and mentions the Code. Grandmother threatens to swallow her the same way she swallowed Range. Windrider tells Chase that she should not worry and that she has foreseen her death. Windrider then encourages Chase to kill her for the good of Bravelands. As Chase brings her claws down on the vulture, Windrider says that it is a good death.

### Chapter 11

Bramble's point of view.

Bramble, Moonflower, Mud, and a patrol of baboons make their way to the marching gorillas. Bramble notices that his father, Burbark, looks unhealthy due to the effects of the Grandmother's venom. He then calls out to his father and asks if he remembers his son. Burbark doesn't respond but instead wades towards Bramble with two crocodiles flanking him. Bramble states that gorillas don't belong on the plains and proceeds to ask his father why he is here. Burbark replies by claiming that there are no fathers and sons and that Burbarktroop are no longer gorillas but the Grandmother's instruments of destruction. Moonflower interrupts Burbark and declares that he and the rest of the gorillas are under the influence of Grandmother and that she will make Grandmother pay for what she has done. Burbark orders Burbarktroop to kill them.

A crocodile lunges for Moonflower and Bramble defends his sister. Burbarktroop starts to march toward them and Bramble and Moonflower run away. The baboons from Dawntrees Troop are pelting the gorillas with stones from afar. When Bramble and Moonflower meet the baboons at the top of the hill Moonflower scoops Mud onto her shoulders and they escape together. However, Mango is too slow and is caught by a Goldback. Bramble turns to see the Goldback beat Mango to her death.

### Chapter 12

Prance's point of view.

Prance is exhausted after a day's work of being the Great Mother and answering the questions of various animals seeking her aid. She is grateful for Moth taking up Mud's role of organizing the animals as they approach her. Moth comes to Prance with Gallant and Valor behind her. Gallant asks Prance if she could go into the Shadow Realm once more to inform them of their lost son. Prance does so and enters her shadow form to search for Terror. As Prance gallops towards the mpaga forest where she last saw Menacepride, she realizes that she is exhausted and that her power is not infinite. When she approaches Menacepride she sees snakes slithering around the lions, and one lioness licking the head of a snake as if it were her cub. Prance also notices snakebites on the paws and tails of the lions and she realizes that she is too late, now that Menacepride is under the influence of Grandmother's venom. Terror and Menace are missing from the pride, and Prance hopes that they both managed to escape the curse. A lion looks directly at Prance and tells her that they see her. The lion then says that Grandmother will come and eat the heart of Bravelands. Prance runs away in panic and returns to her body.

When Prance awakes, Valor asks her what happened. She tells Valor and Gallant that Menacepride had fallen under the curse and that she didn't see Terror nor Menace. Prance continues by saying that there is hope that both lions managed to escape the curse and that they should search for them. Gallant refuses by saying that he promised Thorn that he and Gallantpride will protect Prance and that he intends on keeping that promise. Prance hears a shriek and tries to find the source of the sound. Valor, Gallant, and Moth don't hear the noise, to which Prance assumes it must have come from a skytounge or sandtongue. Prance sees the shadows of vultures landing on the ground, and realizes that they are in the Shadow Realm. A live vulture lands in front of them, injured and exhausted. The vulture introduces herself as Stormrider and tells Prance that Grandmother found the Vulture Pool and attacked her flock alongside a leopard. Stormrider then claims that she is the last surviving vulture in Bravelands. Prance then realizes that Grandmother is trying to wither Bravelands away by attacking the roots of the Great Spirit.

### Chapter 13

Chase's point of view.

Chase and Grandmother descend Vulture Mountain while being covered in drying vulture blood. Grandmother then stops beside a couple of fig trees and and orders for Chase to protect her while she sheds her skin, claiming that she is vulnerable and must not get into another conflict while she is close to her final form. Chase obeys and leaps onto the branches of the fig tree. However, Chase comes to terms that she has waited long enough and that she must use this opportunity to kill Grandmother while she is shedding. She prays to Prowl, Shadow, Slink, and even Range as she prepares to pounce on Grandmother's neck. Grandmother starts to shed but Chase is apprehended by vervets under Grandmother's venom.

Grandmother completes her shedding and thanks the vervets for apprehending Chase. Chase struggles as the monkeys prod her, to which Grandmother threatens her by saying that she will not hesitate to order the vervets to tear her eyes out. Grandmother then explains that she knew that Chase was disloyal the whole time and that she would not be affected as much by the venom as others. Chase then shudders at the thought that she had never been safe while hiding with the sandtongue cult, and asks Grandmother why she hadn't killed her already. Grandmother claims that she wouldn't gain anything from killing Chase and that she needs a creature that isn't under the influence of her venom to have the clarity of doing a special task for her. Chase refuses and says she would rather die, to which Grandmother informs her that her gorillas have taken Shadow and Seek hostage and will kill them if Chase refuses. Chase realizes that there is no way out and asks Grandmother what the task is. Grandmother replies saying that Chase will need to do what she was born to do, hunt and kill.