Savah delivers a brief history of the village and assures the WolfRiders and their cubs that here, there are NO HUMANS.

The two tribes begin to assimilate but as Leetah continues to deny Recognition, Cutter is still drawn to her, making Rayek madly jealous. ShenShen tells Leetah she should follow her heart and Rayek chastises her. Soon after, Rayek issues the Challenge of Hand, Head and Heart, a competition that will allow one of them to solely "woo" Leetah.

Savah explains what the Challenge is, Skywise loans his lodestone to Cutter (for luck), and the two begin the trial of Hand, a balancing wrestle while blindfolded, and despite his confidence, Rayek loses to Cutter.

Next comes the trial of Head, a battle of wits, which Rayek is more confident of winning and is sure that though he has no change to win all three of the trials now, Leetah will be more impressed by cunning than physical prowess, anyway...

So both contestants are stripped of their weapons, blindfolded and bound, and led into the caves in the mountains surrounding the village...