The key to finding the next piece of the talisman is lost. Rift and his family of battle wolves are formally banished. The church at Brittle is destroyed. Guntharr, Taya, and the others look for a sliver of hope as the thread holding their quest together begins to fray. Raskin, Taya's life-bound hawk lord, falls into guilt and depression over a past he has kept hidden for too long. Driven by concern for their friend, the companions turn their attention...