Randall has recommitted to his role as a scout and guard. His first opportunity comes from an unexpected place: Doctor Leslie, one of the student scholars he and Marta saved from the wolf slavers during the late Doctor Henry's expedition to excavate under the henge near Lakehurst, wants him and Marta to accompany her first excavation. This sounds like a simple trip to a site far north in the Duchy of the North Fjords.

But the locals seem to be less than welcoming to the delegation from Markhurst University. Randall finds himself in an unusual position, serving as guard, counselor, and assistant, while trying to decide whether the local population of reindeer and huskies poses a threat or is simply unfriendly.