When Nicodemus Wrenfield thought he'd lose his wife to illness, he turned from his position as head surgeon of the Royal Academy, and delve into the Dark Arts to save her.

When Richard Wrenfield almost lost his arm to morphine addiction, he knew he had to turn from the medical field, and the one connection he had with his father, to pursue other interests.

Will they compromise? Will they be able to find the Maester's Ring and understand its secrets? Or will it be too late, not only for Alia Wrenfield, but for all of Hwitloc?