Cazaril, once castle-warder, then war-slave, is tasked with protecting Royess Iselle at Chalion's royal courts. A multi-generational curse and political intrigue complicates matters when the gods intervene.

Dowager Royina Ista embarks on a pilgrimage to escape her over-protective household. Enroute, she is enlisted, reluctantly, by the gods to gather in the demon-possessed people.

Lord Ingrey, sent to arrest Lady Ijade for the slaying of Prince Boleso, finds someone bespelled him to assasinate the lady.  Ingrey harbors a wolf spirit, akin to the ancient warriors but unacceptable to the Five Gods. He must defeat the spell and deliver the lady to likely execution. But the Lady Ijade has become the focus of a 400 year old geas to redeem the slain warriors of a massacre.

Dag, the Lakewalker patroller, rescues Fawn, a farmgirl, a magical monster known as a Malice.

Dag and Fawn return to Hickory Camp and does not find welcome.