After passing through the Stygian Hole, the company finally reaches Palennoria, a province of Lothangia. There they are welcomed by friends expecting their arrival. The members of the company that left to rescue Pal and Tom are finally reunited, but greatly transformed. Vesten proclaims that he is the Emperor Returned and rallies all of Lothangia into a great army that marches toward the City of Lothar to confront the invading Allomanian Army.