When F’nor returns from patrol duty in the Tillek region, he is covered in fine black dust. F’lar realizes this is Thread material rendered inert by cold weather. The Threads have already begun falling and will soon destroy Tillek.

Lessa finally reveals that she can psychically communicate with all the dragons in the Weyr. At first F’lar is angry, but he then realizes this power will be an invaluable communication tool in the war. They agree that now is the time to leverage the fact that dragons can travel through space and time—they will send fighters back to prevent the destruction of the rainforests of Tillek. R’gul is finally convinced that the Threads are real. Men and women in the Weyr prepare to deal with casualties from the upcoming battle.

F’lar leads the battle against the Threads over the rainforests of Tillek, which is near Lord Vincet’s Nerat Hold. The young troops are confident and well-organized from their training. Parasitic in nature, the non-sentient Threads seek any greenery to burrow into the ground, eat, and then die: “Slanting across the sea, like an ever-thickening mist, Threads were falling, silent, beautiful, treacherous.