In this chapter, the UM explains that he has come to the island to save the cefalu tree, which he believes is the shortest in the world. He tells the UM that the black flowers on the tree look like poppies, but he doesn't know if they're from the North or from the South. He says that he'll have Selia check the trees for signs of war, and then he's off to find out what's wrong with the island.