Chapter #21 starts in the cottage, where Jenna and Nicko had just come back from exploring and are surprised to see Boy 412 back before them. As they come back into the cottage, a Message Rat bearing a message for Silas from Sarah arrives and Marcia brings Jenna up to the attic of the cottage as a precautionary measure. The rat tells Silas about how Sarah, Sally (who had fled from her burning cafe) and the other Heaps are safe, but brings the news that Simon, their oldest, has gone missing. During dinner, Silas, Marcia, and Zelda agree that the Message Rat and Silas should leave for the Forest in the morning. The chapter ends as the Message Rat and Silas leave.
Chapter #22 begins in the cottage. Marcia has decided to teach Jenna, Nicko, and Boy 412 some basic spells. Nicko refuses with the excuse of already knowing some spells. Jenna learns the spell, but it takes some time for her to get it right. When it is Boy 412’s turn, he does the spell so well the first that he doesn’t even have to speak it for it to happen. The chapter ends as Marcia feels curious about Boy 412’s talent.
Chapter #23 begins still in the cottage, where Zelda is getting ready for a big storm. The next morning, Marcia talks to Boy 412 about his powers and asks him to be her Apprentice. He is unsure and Marcia asks him to think about it. The chapter ends as they catch bugs for making Shield Bugs to protect the cottage from the Hunter.
In Chapter #24, Jenna and Nicko have just returned to the cottage from a day of exploring. Boy 412 was making Shield Bug Preserves for the shield bugs. Then, Jenna, Nicko, Boy 412, Marcia, and Zelda began making shield bugs- but they made a mistake on the very last one. The chapter ends here.
Chapter #25 begins in the Forest, where Silas is meeting with Morwenna Mould. Silas asks if Morwenna would keep a lookout for Simon, and Morwenna invites Silas to the Midwinter Feast. The chapter ends as Sally gifts Silas with Marcia’s Keepsafe to give back to her.