Irvin Colwell is the leader of a small mining towne in the kingdom of Rhethos. When disaster strikes in the form of a curse tied to the feared Blood Goddess, Rhethos' military gets involved. Cultural and superstitious divides create chaos between the towne and its "saviors." Officer Fentrell wants to provide aid to
Irvin and his people, but with an animosity toward magic and a secret-strewn past, trust runs very thin.
Irvin, his wife and daughter, and his community face utter devastation. Will incurable illness, oppressive soldiers, and complex betrayal bury Irvin? Or will he find the strength to fight back against those who burn anyone who dares to rise up?