Summary

As Dave predicted, Grady begins returning to the Elkmoons year after year, drawn to their immense beauty and quietude. In his travels, he meets a mysterious woman named Gladys Wax who takes a snarky but approving interest in him and informs him of a group of individuals called the Lûmi who serve as protectors of the mountains’ innermost secrets. Gladys encourages Grady to quit his unfulfilling but remunerative work in Portland and spend his time scaling the ranges of the Elkmoons in pursuit of the Lûmi, a suggestion that sticks with Grady even as he obstinately tells Gladys it is impractical.

Risa receives word that Dave has developed late-stage cancer and is near death. Wracked with guilt over her refusal to speak with him, Risa travels to a hospital in Seattle, where Dave ignores her self-lacerations and informs her...