After losing his allies to death and betrayal, Prince Michael of Jenoth continues his journey in search of the Defre-Lanc alone and cold, plagued by loneliness and a festering thirst for revenge. Making his way through the kingdom of Marianatha he soon encounters a young man by the name of Jacob and is reunited with an old friend; but a darkness continues to overshadow the prince. As fall becomes winter, Michael presses on, slowly losing sight of his goal. Will he find his way to the Highfiend's Hand to fulfil the prophesy and stop the Summoned, or will he lose himself completely?