- Micah tells the magician that his mother needs help birthing. She asks for six silver pieces; he says they only have five.
- Their neighbor, Mattie Han, urges the magician to go help, saying that Micah's mother is a friend of hers.
- Micah and the magician ride in her wagon back to his family's farm. The magician counts and bites each silver piece before going in to help Micah's mom.
- Micah and his dad stay out of the way as instructed. The magician tells them that the baby and mom are fine, and she leaves, saying to let them rest.
- They talk about naming the baby Sadima, do some farm chores, and eventually go check on the new baby.
- What they find is horrifying: Micah's mother is dead, the baby is whimpering and cold on the ground. The pewter candlesticks are gone, and everything's been rummaged through.
- Micah doesn't even think before reacting: he picks up his baby sister and takes her into the barn. They sleep in the hay, with him curling his body around hers to keep her warm.