Llyat Emgar, the seventeen year old runt of Maplehill, and Methladon Heyn, three years his elder and much more robust, witness their families destroyed by an evil that comes in the night. A mysterious foe is at work in the wild lands and may in some way be linked to the serial killer reaping havoc in the Capital. A sullen bard with deep secrets of his own is tasked by the Sovereign to bring an end to the resurgence of a deadly cult. Meanwhile the city watch of Parandor is ordered to catch the murderer. The trail will be long, convoluted, and dangerous. The stink of death is in the air.

Llyat, Thias, and Irabo journey into the wild lands north of the Grey Mountains. While searching to reunite the Gems of Thamous in order that the 'Marked' may fulfil the Enderdetag Prophecy, unexpected alliances are forged. Methladon Heyn is fated to follow a darker path as he is forced to confront the evil that is leaking into the Realm through a crack between the dimensions. Meanwhile in Parandor, Tonousa Amberstone must salvage her reputation and find a way to discover the identity of the traitor and instigator of the Death Tubaria murders. All will face their own unique hardships and it is unlikely that all will prevail.

Urthanock reincarnated turns his attention to the destruction of Parandor. Following his fortuitous rescue from the jaws of death, Llyat Emgar resumes his quest to seal the evil inside the Underworld. Somehow he must locate the portal that will give him access to the dark dimension and find a way to forge the key that will lock it for all time. While the final battle for Parandor rages the 'Marked' must visit The Fates for only the ancient three can show him the way. Knowledge is not without cost. The great unknown is whether or not Llyat can determine his own destiny in order to save his world. If the Moirai have predetermined the outcome then who if anyone will survive the final confrontation?