Raxe and company finally arrive at Mar-dah's mountain, but their efforts to this point will be for naught if they can't find their way into the keep and out again with the Hell Key. Head Mage Rionn Lorr continues to search for a cure for the plague of walking dead. If he doesn't find it soon, King William will have to give the command to slaughter them all, including the infected civilian men, women and children. If they fail to stop them one way or another, the victims will continue to spread the plague and fulfill the demon's unknown purpose. Meanwhile, on this side of the WorldGate, the Dierglyorr's forces close in on Dan and Lisa as they come full circle in their flight and fight for survival.