Chapters 1, 2, and 3

Ch. 1: A Visitor Arrives and Departs, in which we meet Rhise, an orphan boy living with his uncle. A stranger arrives in his village and hints at adventures to come. Rhise and his uncle leave their home precipitously.

Ch. 2: A Journey Begins, in which Rhise repents of his desire to leave his home and plans his own journey, which scheme ends badly.

Ch. 3: Captured, in which Rhise's captors propose a bargain. It turns out to be not such a good one.