normally only happens in summer). The owls fall into a much more insidious fascination with the Ember and begin to worship it (to the chagrin of sensible owls like Otulissa and Bubo, the tree's blacksmith), constantly making up more and more ridiculous rituals for its adoration (such as flying around it and dipping their wingtips in its ashes). This culminates in a prison hollow being built in the Tree, which escapes Otulissa's knowledge until she is arrested for hiding a precious teacup Madame Plonk asked her to keep. Meanwhile, Coryn and the Band seek 'The Book of Kreeth', a book of magic practiced by an ancient arch-hagsfiend. A powerful sect of evil wolves known as 'vyrrwolves' impede their quest. However, the book is eventually recovered by a maimed pup called Cody, who dies in the attempt. During a battle with the Pure Ones, Coryn feels a strange power overcome him. At the same moment, the ember's glow dims at the moment Primrose performs the ceremony of removing the ashes, leading to her arrest on a false charge of blasphemy. When the Band return, they are horrified at the display and immediately rip down the trappings (which Gylfie notes look like a church). The ember is thrown into a pile of 'bonk' embers kept by Bubo. The River of Wind Otulissa learns from Bess, the Knower, that there is a sixth kingdom in the world of owls. This discovery would mean much to owlkind. She rushes off to tell the Band about this new kingdom, which they come to know that it is known as Jouzhenkyn, or the Middle Kingdom. After they read Bess' letter, they all decide they should tell no one of this discovery yet except Coryn, their king. Soren, Gylfie, Twilight, Digger, and Otulissa, go to Coryn's hollow and tell him of this news. Coryn grows excited when the Band tells him that they get to go to the Palace of Mists (Bess' secret location) first, a place very few owls know about, and even fewer have gone there. Soren's elderly nest-maid snake pleads the Band to let her travel with them, and they agree, so The Band, Otulissa, Coryn and Mrs. Plithiver leave the tree without notice to go to the Palace of Mists. While they are gone, Pelli, Soren's mate, is shocked to find Bell go missing after a weather practice. Eglantine and Primrose, the aunt