Will seeks the traitors who poisoned the king, investigates rumors of sorcery, and tries to rescue his friend Alyss, who is taken hostage. Will is finally a full-fledged Ranger with his own fief to look after. The fief seems sleepy-boring even-until Lord Syron, master of a castle far in the north, is struck down by a mysterious illness. Joined by his friend Alyss, Will is suddenly thrown headfirst into an extraordinary adventure, investigating fears of sorcery and trying to determine who is loyal to Lord Syron. As Will battles growing hysteria, traitors, and, most of all, time, Alyss is taken hostage, and Will is forcesd to make a desperate choice between his mission and his friend.