At Snow's urging, Never climbs into the Folhan Mountains to search for the Altar of Stars, which he must reach by the new moon. Yet he cannot shake off his doubts; will the answers he seeks even reside with the altar? Or is Snow manipulating him once more?

Never soon finds that the mountains harbour their own threats, from avalanches and enemy troops to ancient creatures deep within abandoned mines and worse – pursuit from a vengeance-obsessed King.