The catalysts of chaos are divided. As Rathnakar's evil army marches toward the fortress of Endguard, Eydis is plagued by dark visions and stalked by a shadowy assassin. Orrick is torn between the schemings of the oracle of Silverwood Grove and the White Lady, two powerful women who may yet betray him to a ruthless thieftaker. Tested by a hazardous journey across the wetlands, Eydis and Orrick battle enemy spies and their own diverging loyalties. Meanwhile, an injured Geveral is stranded in a haunted forest. Still reeling from the death of a friend and determined to protect the mysterious scepter that has fallen into his hands, the dryad finds himself hunted by ravenous hunger hounds. Will the three catalysts survive and evade enemy capture long enough to block the Raven King's next move?