Lord Kurog decides to send Fyldor Darkmantle to Castle Barr to spread malicious rumours about Tangard Quarl. They then decide to send Barlin to spy on Fyldor Darkmantle. After this, he decides to spend a few hours riding up to Blackgate with his companions to see what is there. When they arrive, they are surprised by the extent of the castle (compared to Runsinane, and also to find that it seems to be occupied, despite supposedly being a ruin.