Chapter Twenty-three Summary

In Chapter Twenty-three Pa rushes forward to save Miri, though Dan threatens to kill her. The bandits have nine girls and the villagers have four bandits. Os suggests a trade but Dan refuses. The two sides are at a standoff until Dan declares that he wants a prize for his trouble or he will kill Miri. The other bandits want to go and avoid more conflict. One by one they abandon Dan until only Dogface and Onor are left. Miri worries for Britta, held by Dogface, and the night turns into dawn. When light falls on all the people who have come to help the girls Miri realizes she does not want to leave the village or the mountain—that both are home for her. She remembers her linder hawk in her pocket and realizes Dan is backing away but...