After the battle with the RECO robots, island creatures carry Roz up the cliffs and back to the Nest. They prop Roz near a fire and leave Roz alone with Brightbill, who is distressed by Roz’s ruined body and helpless to repair her.

Roz admits that no one on the island can fix the damage and asks Brightbill to gather their closest, wisest friends for advice. Loudwing, Mr. Beaver, Fink, Swooper, Tawny, Nettle, Chitchat, and Crag come to the Nest, with Nettle attending because Mother Bear is too injured to travel.

The group meets through the night. They debate the RECOs, Roz’s condition, and the island’s safety; although opinions clash and tempers rise, the friends agree on a plan by morning.

The Dawn Truce is moved from the Great Meadow to a smaller meadow near the mountain, beside the airship. Wounded and exhausted animals gather while Roz, frail and badly damaged, addresses them from the wet grass.

Roz thanks the animals for risking their lives but explains that the final RECO warned more retrieval robots will come, and that her Makers will keep searching for their property. Because Roz does not want the island to suffer more danger on her behalf, and because the Makers may be the only ones able to repair Roz, she announces that she must leave.

The animals protest, but Roz insists that returning to the Makers is the best chance for Roz to become whole and wild again while protecting the island. The crowd finally quiets because the animals understand that Roz is right.