With the dragon driven off, the lair is clear and the treasure lies unguarded! There is a layer of ice covering it, but several fire spells from the sorcerer deal with obstacle in short order. The adventurers gather a rich haul of gold and gems, collect Maccath and her research materials, and return to the ship to report their success. On the way they pass through the Ice Hunter village and find the entire village preparing to leave, migrating to a new home while the dragon cannot stop them. The trip back to Waterdeep is smooth and easy, taking only a few days. The party rests and recovers on the way, does a little shopping in the city, and soon enough is back at the next meeting of the Council of Lords. Many members report dragon raids in their lands, likely driven by the sounding of the Draakhorn by the Cult. In particular, one green dragon has been raiding the elven lands in the Misty Forest, a matter of great concern to the druids of the Emerald Enclave. The Harpers also report intelligence from the north that a great crash has taken place involving Skyreach Castle, a blow to the hopes that the giants will assist against the Cult. After discussing their options, the party decides that the green dragon raids pose the most imminent danger. The druids point them to the elven village of Altand, where a raid recently took place. Strangely, this raid did not completely demolish the village, as had happened to so many others. The adventurers question the villagers, including the leader Galin, but are able to learn only that the dragon and his cultists followers halted their attack after a short time and retreated, with no clue as to why. However, Noram does detect that Galin is holding something back... Knowing that Galin has a secret, the party decides to leave the village openly, then sneak back to watch from the surrounding forest. As night falls, their patience is rewarded as they see Galin and his pet raven leaving the village to head deep into the woods. He goes to a clearing and waits for some time, but nothing happens, so he begins to return to the village. The adventurers decide to confront him, stepping from their hiding places and demanding to know what he has been doing. At first he is recalcitrant, so Tom speaks with the raven and learns that Galin has been meeting with a "huge scary green bird" - a raven's perception of a dragon. Confronted with this information, and with Mella threatening dire consequences for further lies, Galin reveals that he has indeed been collaborating with the dragon. He made a deal to save what was left of his village - information about other targets in return for their own safety. He promises to inform the elven king, and returns to the village to begin to atone for his misdeeds. Galin knows nothing of the lair itself, but he can point the party to the southeast, where it would fly away after their meetings. With this direction, the adventurers set off through the forest. After some time, they come across a strange scene - an old elven woman lying on the ground, under a fallen tree, calling for help. Suspecting a trap, everyone carefully inspects the area, and Mella walks up to the woman and threatens to harm her if she lies! Suddenly the very trees around the party begin to move! Even the fallen tree stands up and makes threatening moves toward the bard. They have taken exception to her treatment of the druid, for that is what the old woman is. Fortunately, Tom and Noram are able to salvage the situation, explaining to the druid that they were simply being cautious. She calls off the animated trees and agrees to share what she knows of the dragon's lair, though she also makes some pointed remarks relating to how powerful adventurers should treat helpless old women. With the additional information, Tom is able to lead the party more directly toward the dragon's lair. But before they arrive, they are set upon by giant spiders! They drop from the trees on sticky strands, trying to capture the adventurers with poison and webs. Both Tom and Noram find themselves caught and held, but Brin and Mella are able to free them and the party is soon victorious. After a night spent in a safe corner of the woods, they are ready to proceed to the lair of the dragon.