"I set this down in case they do not come." Tamriss is a prisoner of the Dark on Chellan, with a fearful end in store. The twins, Gavran and Jilia, sent there on a strange, unknown mission, struggle for their lives, and hers, as they try to avoid a horrific fate. On Serrin, the twins share another desperate challenge, when Jilia comes face to face with the Dark Lord himself. Wounded, they turn to each other in their pain, and are forced into exile, but when the Dark forces threaten Aventar itself, somehow they must find the strength and courage to return.