Rowan has to pass the final test of courage for the Ranger cadets, which is to find his way back to the village without flying. Since he has heard that older Rangers disguise themselves as monsters for this big occasion, Rowan is not frightened when he encounters one. Finally, he realizes that it is a "real" wild rock troll he has come up against. Fortunately, with Thalia and the Rangers' help, he passes his test with "flying" colors, but his hope of impressing the lovely Clover with his achievement doesn't quite go according to plan.