Chilled and cowed by the violent fate of Garren and Katrin Yarrance and the mysterious disappearance of Farnor, the villagers can only stand by helpless as Rannick, increasingly unstable, and with his terrifying powers growing daily, turns his ambitions towards the land beyond the valley. But in the wake of the plunder and captives brought in triumph to the castle by Nilsson and his men, confident and arrogant again, comes a shadow from their...