Orchid, Simon, and Yehzu meet a mysterious, forest-dwelling woman named Opal and hear the tale of General China's defeat at the hands of Tomo Wolfe. As Orchid struggles to find an outlet for her anger, Simon pleads for help from this experienced woman, whom he sees as a new and knowledgeable ally. Is this the turning point in the efforts of the uprising? Or another setback for a hopeless cause?