Overview

A disgruntled Gradyln warrior, Belzan, is preparing to destroy the woman who severed his hand and banished him - and all those important to Kareina. Using the fear of the people of Kellshae as a catalyst to building his army, Belzan incites hatred of magic wielders, and the basic need of men to get their women under control.

Gionne needs to bring Kellshae's first oracle to Zheirger Keep, but must traverse the unsettled land filled with angry magicked people, and the common people killing those with magic. The rift separating Gionne from Jahq never broached makes the situation difficult, as they're to work together on this matter. Time has Gionne wondering if she may have been rash in her actions to break up with Jahq. Hatred is tearing Kellshae apart. Is it too late to make amends before all hope is lost?

Jahq hasn't spoken to Gionne for nearly three years, has barely left her rooms in the Keep. Now her mothers are asking Jahq to accompany Gionne from Gradyln to Zheirger. She knows this mission is important to Kellshae, and that her absence should make her disappearance afterward easier.

Jahn accepts one former lesson above all: Gionne's rejection was worse for her than any monster Bahalkar spit up from its depths.