A steward charged with distributing supplies to relieve the deprivation and suffering of the long conflict with the Vancor confiscates these for himself, resulting in the near death of many.

A young elf abandoned by the two warriors charged with his safety suffers hideous and agonizing wounds which can only be healed by the Tandra, the great lions of the Comarion.

Two escape the Vancor, only to be lost in the frozen north. Scrounging for food and shelter, Cadeon manages to keep his brother safe and somewhat fed until he is badly injured, and young Tevian becomes deathly ill.

Braillor, a rebellious young guard, agrees to raid the royal treasury, unaware his friends are Vancor, with orders to steal and destroy The Great Golden Scroll-the source of The High Knowledge. But worse is to come.

High King Katonah admonishes his people to understand that the real battle for Lashterie lies not on a battle field, but in their hearts. Disobedience, deceit, anger, resentment, selfishness, and unforgiveness must not be allowed to find a home within. Even so, in Domethian, wherein lies the citadel of the high king, the unspeakable happens.