As they head south, Sogolon is once again attacked by the spirits of her victims. Venin, having observed Sogolon tracing nsibidi, mimics her, tracing one in the dirt and warding off the attack. They continue until they come to the ruins of an ancient kingdom. The ground rumbles, and Mawana witches—giants with serpent bodies—erupt from the ground. A battle ensues—Venin, armed with lances, shows surprising skill—and the witches are driven away or killed. As they ride on, Sogolon questions Venin about her skill with weapons, but the voice that answers is not the young girl’s; it is Jakwu’s. He has possessed Venin, and Sogolon threatens to kill the girl to drive him out.

Along the road, they come upon the house of Ikede. They send a pigeon to Dolingo with a message to announce their arrival. Mossi enters and pulls Fumanguru’s writs from his bag, a series of treatises on reforming the kingdom and restoring the proper king. Sogolon revisits her history in the royal house: her service with Emini, the reign of Kwash Moki, and the beginning of the witch purges. The writs then instruct them to take the boy south until they reach the floating city of Go.