Chapter #26 begins in Galen’s Treehouse, which is in the Forest, where Galen convinces Sarah to go to the MidWinter Feast. Sarah, Galen, and the Heap boys eat at the Feast with the Wendron Witches. The chapter then transitions to Silas, who has just snuck into the Castle with a disguise. Silas goes to see the old Heap room and is found by a cleaning crew and told to burn the Magyk books. As the cleaning crew leaves Silas to his work, Alther appears and assures Silas that he could hide the books. Then, Alther takes Silas to the Hole in the Wall tavern, where news about Simon is waiting. The chapter ends as Silas searches for Simon with no luck.
Chapter #27 starts with Stanley (The Message Rat), who has just gone to the Rat Office for his new message. DomDaniel’s rats are now running the office, and Stanley is told to bring a message from the Supreme Custodian to Marcia Overstrand. The message was by proxy, so the message looked like it was from Silas Heap. Stanley leaves, but on the way, he is captured by Mad Jack and his donkey cart. The chapter ends as Stanley contemplates how to get out of the rat cage Mad Jack has locked him inside.
Chapter #28 begins back in the cottage, where the Big Freeze is setting in. The author describes how the Big Freeze swept over the Castle, freezing everything in its path. The story then jumped to the Supreme Custodian, who is holding Simon Heap prisoner. He has just convinced Simon to give him information about the cottage’s whereabouts. He tells the Hunter this information, and the chapter ends as the Hunter informs DomDaniel about the cottage.
In Chapter #29, Nicko, Boy 412, and Jenna go out into the now snowy marshes to play in the snow. They find a giant python underneath the frozen water and ice skated around the Mott. The author describes the long days during the Big Freeze at the cottage. Boy 412 begins to notice Aunt Zelda going down the trapdoor in the potions cupboard every day. The chapter ends as Stanley arrives at the cottage with a message.
Chapter #30 begins as Stanley is telling the message. It tells Marcia to meet Silas at the Castle. Marcia is mad that the message doesn’t mention her KeepSafe and resolves to go at midnight. The chapter ends as Marcia is trapped by the Guards at the Palace Gate, gets the Akhu Amulet stolen from her neck, and thrown into Dungeon Number One, where she only survives when Alther finds her and encourages her to to stay alive.