It was a hot afternoon, so hot that UrSu decided to stay in his cave until that evening. But his ward, Jen the Gelfling, was eager to go outside and look around. When the master wasn't paying attention, Jen managed to crawl outside, past where UrTih the Alchemist was working, and toward the edge of the valley. Coincidently, this happened to be the day that the Skeksis Chamberlain and General SkekSil and SkekUng respectively had been sent out in search of Podlings. The Chamberlain had been told to search for Podlings in order to drain their essence for his Emperor. Usually this essence was made from Gelfling, but since both Emperor and Chamberlain were under the impression that there were none left, they were forced to use Podlings.

Jen meanwhile, had managed to climb down the ledge and into the valley itself. Just as Jen and the Chamberlain were about to run into each other, UrSol the Chanter stepped in between them and picked up Jen saying "you should really be resting in this weather. Besides, I spotted the Skeksis Chamberlain earlier." The little Gelfling responded only by squirming slightly and saying "uh oo." The Chanter ignored Jen's squirming and brought him back to UrSu's den. Once Jen had been dropped off, he began crying. The Mystic Master woke up from his light doze and was able to console the little one, who whimpered happily in his arms and eventually fell asleep and UrSu decided to take advantage of this and study. Meanwhile, SkekSil had passed through the valley and began heading back, never thinking nor suspecting that the UrRu could have anything that would hold the Emperor's interest. He did, however, manage to snatch a few stray Podlings before he returned. Upon SkekSil's return, he was greeted by SkekUng and SkekZok, the latter of whom behaved in his usual mature manner but the former of whom seemed a little on edge, constantly looking in every direction and muttering. Both were at first under the impression that the Chamberlain had failed to get any plunder but their expressions changed when he dumped several Podlings out of his burlap sack. But nothing that was going on at the castle was of concern to Jen, who was still sound asleep. It was then that the master decided to give up his studying and curled up next to his ward.