After Tsyal partakes in the daily harvest with other members of her clan, she introduces Ralu and Entu to her father, Chief of the Tawkami. But he scoffs at the youngers' plan to find Toruk, so the two Omaticaya boys are forced to leave the forest empty-handed... without Tsyal and a Tanquil Seed.

When Ralu and Entu come upon a river, they are cornered by strange creatures - Austrapede's and Turtapede's - and are forced to jump into the stream. (With its long, thin neck and tail and its long, narrow bill, the Austrapede is a relatively small creature by Pandoran standards. The Austrapedes are impulsive, fidgety creatures whose emotions spread quickly from one individual to the other by a form of mimicry. And with its large dorsal fin and tail, the Turtapede is agile in shallow water.)

Carrying powerful seeds in her bag, Tsyal comes to their rescue aboard a raft. She has disobeyed her father, bringing with her the precious seeds - the potion of the Tawkami! The quest can continue!

The three friends reach the desert and set off on foot. When night falls, they doze off under a starry sky.