 The dog is still very much alive, and escapes into the catacombs under the capital city, bringing Xar's plans to a screeching halt.Marit, Hugh and Alfred, though alive, are at start of the Labyrinth; they must somehow reach the Final Gate, way at the other end.Providence arrives in the form of Zifnab and the "dragons" of Pryan—the good, true side of the Wave, polar opposites to the dragon-snakes.