Talut, a powerful bear of a man with bright red hair, a booming laugh, and a gentle heart, and his tall, dark-haired sister, Tulie, are the leaders of the Lion Camp of the Mamutoi. It is here that Ayla finds her first women friends, but some among the Mamutoi dislike Ayla because she was raised by “flatheads,” their name for the people of the Clan. Ayla is haunted by her memories of the Clan because Rydag, a child of mixed parentage living with the Mamutoi, bears so strong a resemblance to her...

Silas has fled with the broken Chalice of Önd, forcing the companions to flee into the surrounding forest, pursued and hunted by the remaining angry swarms of hobs. But their escape is slow as Isolde falls ill; the injured hand she plunged into the Chalice during the ceremony is infected and the disease is spreading rapidly, transforming her flesh into the scales of a hob. Sick with worry, Rollo decides to go after the chalice, hoping to reverse the spell, but Leaf insists on returning to aid...

It is now twelve years since the events recorded in Black Trillium. Haramis has devoted herself to the study of magic and science; Anigel governs her provinces with affection, seeking always the bright side of life; Kadiya has not changed - still impetuous, wild and careless. When Kadiya loses her trillium talisman in deep waters off the Windlorn Isles, the stage is set for a once peaceful world to plunge into war and catastrophe

The dragon Anwyn--who has lain for three years in deathlike sleep in a grave of rock and black coal is freed by the cataclysm that concluded REQUIEM FOR THE SUN. sisoriented and confused, she remembers only two things-the person who trapped her in dragon form and locked her in the grave-Rhapsody-and an all-encompassing desire to wreak vengeance. Meanwhile, Achmed, the Firbolg king, resumes rebuilding the his shattered home, while a guild of merciless assassins set about taking revenge on him...

The war that is tearing apart Nar threatens to destroy the Jackal's family as Count Biago targets his daughter, knowing that the Jackal must try to protect her.