This chapter opens with a description of the situation at the fort. It is clear that the main force is busy building it, and that the enemy forces have surrounded it. The enemy forces are likely padded out with civilians, so they are weak enough that they could win if they fought. The main force tells us that they are waiting for the epifanio to appear inside the circle of encirclement, and they are sure that he will appear there. They are also sure that the evil sorcerer, the revolucionario leader, is using magic to make the enemy fight. They have about 1,300 fighters inside the encirclement. They decide to seize the nation and use the mercenaries to fight the enemy.