Now that the army is ready to move on Longka, Phra Ram assembles his staff officers and tells them that a causeway must be built between the mainland and Longka island so that the army and all its baggage and supplies can be taken safely across the strait.  He orders Sukreep to supervise the operation, while Hanuman and Nilapat, with the other monkeys of the army as their laborers, are chosen to carry out the construction work.

Glad to be away from the camp again, Hanuman flies blithely down to the strait with his companions.  He might perhaps be less happy if he knew what his workmate Nilapat is thinking.  The fact is that the black monkey has been nursing a grudge against the Son of the Wind since the time Hanuman abducted his foster father King Chompoo in order to bring him before Phra Ram.  The great Chompoo readily forgave Hanuman on learning that Phra Ram wanted to enlist his aid in the campaign against the demons, but Nilapat has been brooding ever since over what he feels was an affront to his honor as Chompoo's personal guard.  So far he has nursed his resentment in secret, but now, flying down to the Longka strait, he promises himself he will pay off his score with Hanuman.