This is the continued tale of Arlus, Delena and Kurn, three young thieves whose story began with The Blink Stone, book one of The Chronicles of Amishval. Arlus had a dream of a red silk purse, stitched with gold thread to look just like a miniature dragon. Inside the purse he dreamt of a pile of gold coins. All it took was a tiny little lie to convince Kurn to follow him into the Silk's Market to pick the pocket of the fat merchant carrying the purse. But, it's often the smallest lies that lead to the greatest misfortune. Kurn, separated from his friends, suffers through multiple tortures and is guided to believe that Arlus, whose dream came true, must have known what would happen to him. His hatred is cemented but with Arlus and Delena magically gone and presumed dead, he takes up an apprenticeship in the Brotherhood of the Hand, Amishval's thieves guild. Kurns new master will begin to teach him the skills he needs to pass the Test of the Hand, but will the growing unrest of a city preparing for war, or a dark shadow waiting to wake bring an end to his new way of life? Meanwhile, Arlus, Delena and Savian, having been transported to a far away land through the power of the Blink Stone, discover knew things about themselves and each other. Arlus, always curious, probes into the vast memories he now has, memories of a great sorcerer know as Falgillus of Arcban, but quickly discovers that sometimes the memories come too late. Delena, uncomfortable with having Savian with them, is forced to compromise just to survive. Arlus, Delena and Savian are a world away from Amishval, on their own in a forest with its own secrets, but, when their past catches up to them, what will their future have in store?