Shiris develops a rivalry with Smeddy, who defeated her earlier. Ashram's ship arrives on Blue Dragon Island and Groder attempts to negotiate with Abram. He learns that the dragon does not guard the Sceptre Of Domination but does have the Soul Crystal Ball. He manipulates the dragon into fighting Ashram's group and, with the help of Hobb's incantation, they kill Abram with Orson as a witness, whose spirit of anger is weakened by the dragon's roar. The events with Ashram help Orson regain his emotions...