Jon Raine is now a Nisse and lost in the hinterlands of Sol. Accompanied by his wife Princess Erika Nisse the Princess Royal and guarded by the newly formed Messian Guard they travel to the Valley of Laeringsted the School of the Blademasters. Jon must go there to fulfill the dictates of an ancient Faeian prophecy. On their journey they encounter the mysterious Aiken Drum. Will Jon learn enough from Aiken Drum to get him to the fabled Laeringsted? Will Jon be able to fulfill this part of the prophecy? There cannot be a Black Messiah without him first becoming a Blademaster. Will Jon have the strength to endure the trials? Is it possible that his new found friend Janus Welundson is a Troll, and can he really be a Troll and a Rumpelstilzchen?