There are times when you know what you need to do, and then there are times when you know only that you cannot allow things to continue as they are.

In a world dominated by jealous gods, scourged by an immortal menace, and riven by noblemen's wars, a couple has survived undaunted by building a life on the unbreakable rock of their relationship. But now Nancy has been laid low by illness, and Geoffrey finds himself cut adrift in a fast-changing world. When daughter Liza's first foray at independence tumbles out of control, the family finds itself in a desperate struggle to survive the end of summer.