The next morning, the village is alert and excited, preparing to hunt the hnakra. Ransom is to share a boat with Hyoi and another hross named Whin. He understands that this is a great honor and is determined to prove “that the human species also [are] hnau” (79). At daybreak, the hunting party sets out. As hnéraki are strong swimmers and virtually unkillable except if hit in the open mouth, it’s a dangerous quest, but Hyoi and Whin are determined to be hnakrapunt (hnakra slayers), one of the greatest honors of a hross’ life. After a while out on the water, an eldil appears before their boat. Although Ransom cannot see the eldil, he hears its warning: Ransom must go to see Oyarsa at Meldilorn; Weston and Devine are following him, and evil will occur if they catch up to him anywhere but Meldilorn.

Whin and Hyoi want to turn around and set Ransom on his way to Meldilorn, but Ransom insists on continuing the hunt. Hyoi begins to caution him about the importance of heeding an eldil’s words but is interrupted by the appearance of the hnakra in the water near them.