Part 2, Chapters 17-20 Summary

In Chapter 17, Johanna no longer shrinks from the Tines' help, but cannot communicate with the pack and adjusts to being alone. Scriber comes to cheer her up, sharing drawings of how to adapt radio to let a pack talk over vast distances. He wonders why Johanna is always angry with those who try to help her, particularly Scarbutt, who wants to be friends. Chapter 18 continues: Scriber is depressed that without Johanna's help he cannot sweep away Flenserism. They must master making gunpowder and cannons to recapture the flying house by winter. Scriber warns Peregrine about Flenserist plans to kidnap Johanna and the need to organize against spies. Peregrine confides that Woodcarver uses high-placed spies to spread misinformation. Over the next ten days, Scriber gathers information to convince Vendacious to hire him as a professional security officer. As the deal...