Back the House, Insa and Lucien speak with Juliette.  She tells them that the Grania are planning a coup against Princess Laazia of Risa.  When Insa and Lucien tell Aden and Adriana, the admirals order Lucien to travel to Risa to warn the princess and to rescue Juliette's son.  Although very reluctant to return to his much hated home, Lucien agrees and sets out, arriving on the shores by the next night.  There, he meets Princess Laazia, and after explaining that he is a Phoenix Fighter and telling her about the coup attempt, Laazia insists that he come with her to the Treetop Village to confront the leader of the Grania Clan.

 

In the Treetop Village, the two of them meet up with Lijah, the leader of the Ross Clan, T'kar's family.  Lijah is warm and welcomes them.  When Laazia explains their purpose, Lijah is thrilled that someone is standing up to the Grania Clan.  Just then, the leader of the Grania, Alakard, arrives.  Lucien makes his accusation and Alakard challenges him to a firestakes duel in three days time.  Lucien is nervous about fighting, but Lijah and his three daughters agree to help prepare for the battle. 

 

Back at the Phoenix House, Insa confesses to Juliette that she too was married to T'kar and that he is now dead.  Although filled with guilt over deceiving Juliette for so long, Insa manages to find closure, despite her intense jealousy over the fact that Juliette has born T'kar a son.  On Risa, Lucien spends a lot of time with Lijah and his daughters, learning the story of how Insa and T'kar met, many years ago when Lijah took Insa in to raise as his own.  The Grania kidnapped T'kar in the elaborate clan politics that existed at the time, which led Insa down her homicidal path.

 

Torn, Lucien finally tells Lijah and his daughters that T'kar is dead.  They are destroyed by the news, but in gratitude to Lucien for his honesty, Lijah performs a ritual and ends up adopting him as his own son.  Lucien is confused, but somewhat grateful.  He speaks to Laazia about his hatred of Risa and she warns him that there is good on the island.  Lucien doesn't see it however, and begins to prepare himself to die.

 

The night of the duel arrives and Lucien faces off against Alakard.  An inferior fighter, Lucien nearly plummets to his death, but he is saved at the last minute by Emcee, an Avatar of the Risan goddesses.  Emcee declares that both men were willing to die, but only Alakard was willing to kill.  Lucien states his case against the Grania, that they have been kidnapping Risan citizens and selling them into slavery.  Emcee confirms this and Laazia banishes the whole Grania Clan from Risa for the next four generations.  Juliette's son is given to Lucien and he bids a farewell to his new family, promising to return someday.