Aden and Lucien set out, bickering the entire way.  As they approach the mines, and the bickering turns into an all out brawl, they are suddenly ambushed by several natives.  They are brought to an underground hideaway that belongs to the native resistence movement.  There, they are greeted by Dagllas himself.  After making them prove that they are not shapeshifters, he welcomes them.  He asks why they've come to the mines and they explain that they need the stones.  Dagllas knows the stones they speak of and admitts that the Ebene have been after them.  He agrees to give them the stones on the condition that they bring him the Gaelstrom book, a rare volume that Kit in Sybok possesses.

 

The boys head out to Sybok.  During the journey, they talk, at first exchanging insults, but gradually delving into the heart of their ongoing feud.  Aden finally admits that he's afraid Tranns will stop wanting him to be a part of her life.  Lucien is uncertain how to respond.  In Sybok, they are greeted by a weary and overworked Kit.  She tells them that she's more than willing to give them the Gaelstrom book, but she must use it to complete one last spell.  To speed up the process, she asks them to collect the ingredients to make an ash box and sends them to visit an old hermit who trades magical items.

 

They set off to visit the hermit, one Prin by name, seeking the ash.  Along the way, Lucien accidentally springs a bear trap.  Aden manages to pull him to safety before he can be impaled, however.  Both men are stunned by this turn of events.  Before they can react, however, Prin appears.  He is very friendly, although a bit daffy.  Lucien and Aden beg him for the ash and he agrees to give it to them.  Much to their dismay, however, he tells them there is a price.  He wants a letter opener.  The much relieved Aden and Lucien exchange their letter opener for the ash and get some words of wisdom from Prin; they have shed each other's blood.  They are now blood brothers.  They bring the ash to Kit and get the book.

 

During the journey back to Dagllas and his camp, the two begin to come to an understanding about their mutual love for Tranns.  Meanwhile, back at the House, the Phoenix Fighters begin to suspect something is wrong with Lucien and Aden when the two are seeing chatting like friends and going over Philip's battle plans.  When Aden and Lucien bring Tranns and Adriana tea, knocking both of them out, it becomes clear that something is amiss.  Several people's rooms are trashed and searched, though nothing is found to be missing.

 

Aden and Lucien arrive at the drop off with the stones from Dagllas.  Klein and Coronis are there to receive the stones.  As the deal is about to take place, however, Dagllas and a few of his rebels ambush the group.  They kill Coronis and take Klein prisoner.  Dagllas explains that the stones interfere with Ebene portals and that the Ebene cannot touch them, that's why Klein needed Aden and Lucien to fetch them.  Aden and Lucien take the stones back to the House and use them to destroy the shapeshifters taking their places.  Things return to normal, but everyone is very creeped out to find Aden and Lucien being genuinely cordial for the first time.