Iluk Village's winter prep is steadily taking shape. The hunting and foraging is going well, the firewood stockpile is growing, and Ellie is making warm winter clothing for everyone. But Grandma Maya prophesizes hardships on the horizon in the form of inclement weather and invading monsters. Dias rises to the challenge undaunted, but things get complicated when the pregnant Francoise and dogkin mothers finally go into labor. Has this battle-hardened warrior finally met his match?!