As Holo and Lawrence begin the final leg of their journey, Lawrence decides to accompany Holo to her ancient home of Yoitsu, if only to forestall their parting just a bit longer. Boarding a ship from the port of Lenos (much to the chagrin of the wisewolf, who is none too fond of water ), the pair's fate becomes entangled with that of a boy named Col, whose tale of his circumstances - combined with the gossip of the sailors - leads to a shocking revelation about Holo's homeland