A mage-in-training slated for the priesthood, the elven lady Nerisse se li Astorae has come to the Trinity's Red Tower in order to finish the final stages of her magical education. She has become the pupil of the highly regarded Master Oknare, a senior Adept of the School of Magery - and the former mentor of the blood mage Ba'tvian Delthanurk.Ba'tvian has been missing since the events in the port city of Menie. He has not been forgotten, nor will he forget. While the Mancers continue their hunt for him, he will set in motion his plans of vengeance...and a young elven mage will be irrevocably changed...