Talina fled the black northern mountains in the wake of Winternight desperate to prepare her people for the looming darkness. But, after an assassin interrupts her trip home, there is no way she can know how relentlessly trouble will pursue her.

From her family's home to the great council tree, carved into the bole of a talonwood at the heart of the elvish city Estaria, she battles foes both ancient and evil. Even when nearly dying from the venom of an ancient demon fails to give her story weight among the elvish elders, she can never lose sight of her mission.

In a crucible comprised of the worst events of her life, Talina must give her all to survive. Even worse, she is to discover that the source of the darkness lies closer to home than she ever expected.

A soul of stone and ice had she, the watcher of the wood.

And from it came a dark resolve, to triumph as she could.

Though tried and tempted by the world, pursued by pain and strife.

Her courage polished by the cinders of her former life.

No crowd arrayed against her, could ever force her heart to yield.

No enemy could overwhelm her, though alone upon the field.