Lulled into a sense of security by Arutha's success in saving Anita's life, the West has forgotten the threat posed by the moredhel amassing in the northern lands. But then word comes to Squire Jimmy - formerly Jimmy "the Hand" of the Mockers - that the Nighthawks, assassins who served the moredhel leader Murmandamus, have returned to Krondor. Strange things are happening in the north, and circumstances force Arutha into an alliance with a black enemy from his past against a common foe. Meanwhile, Pug has returned to Midkemia strengthened by his time with the eldar on Kelewan, and he brings word that their true foe is something more than a powerful moredhel sorcerer. Dragging his childhood friend Tomas - who was once in danger of becoming the Valheru Ashen-Shugar - along with him, Pug travels through time and space itself to search out the key to the dark mysteries that are gathering the players in this cosmic drama to a small fortress town called Sethanon.