- Things aren't so bad at the academy. It's springtime and Tutor Olana lets them spend their class time outdoors; the girls practice their dances in the sun and daydream about the prince.
- The girls continue to go home when the traders come, and the village prospers. They build up their food stores and are able to buy lots of fine goods.
- When Miri is home, she brings books to teach Marda how to read. Marda sighs and admits to Miri that she's happy; this whole time she was afraid that people thought she was too stupid to learn.
- Miri realizes that her place isn't in the quarry; she'll have to find her own life.