After destroying the vicious mercenary Raven and partially avenging his people wiped out in 2003's Talon of the Hawk, Tal Hawkins, last of the Orosini, sets his sights on the person who ordered the massacre, Kaspar, Duke of Olasko. But to get close enough to Kaspar to exact his revenge, he must first win the duke's confidence--and accomplishing that may cost Tal his soul.