As the hostilities intensify, Germaine and Columbine take the littlest woodlanders to Gingivere’s farm for safety. With Bane gone, Tsarmina ponders her next move against her enemies. Summoning her weasel captain, Brogg, she orders him to set traps and snares in the woodland. She intends to exterminate every living creature in the forest. Later that morning, Tsarmina is surprised to see three figures arrive under a flag of truce. Martin, Bella, and Skipper give her an ultimatum. Martin tells Tsarina to evacuate Kotir by sunset. She asks, “‘What happens if I choose not to leave?’ […]. Martin’s tone was like Boar’s hammer striking the anvil. ‘You will die here, you and all your vermin. I will bring this evil place down on your heads’” (384).

When Tsarmina threatens to have her archers slay the delegation, Martin says that the woodlands are filled with archers who will kill her at the same time. Realizing she can’t make a move, Tsarmina allows the delegation to depart. As the woodlanders leave, Bella blocks the gates from the outside to keep Tsarmina and her forces sealed in.