Tylidae Teriel, once known as the infamous assassin Nightingale, left the human world of Caesia behind. She finds a tentative life in Havosiherim, the birthplace of her only friend Nyx. Her hardships are not finished. Not everyone in the anthehomes want her there. When plague hits Nhoternis, Tylidae reluctantly volunteers her healing skills. The trek to the anthehome is long and perilous, fraught with dangerous trolls, deep winter snows, and rumors of a mythical rukh. There are those who do not want Tylidae to reach her goal. Hidden in the vast northern forests, a lost civilization sprouts on the bones of slaves. A creature craves the magic in Tylidae's blood. And those she considers companions turn out to be bitter rivals.