Queen Elena, Fala's aunt and only living relative, is ambushed on-route to Castle Gradam by Honerva. The witch assumes Elena's identity, and lies along a road, pretending to be unconscious where Fala and the rest of the Golion team find her. "Elena" is taken to the castle, where strange things happen: Fala's mice try to warn her that "Elena" has tried to garrote her, Honerva's cat Jaga has been spotted lurking the castle, and Raible notes that there is "Elena" is not quite herself.