Years have passed in relative peace since that long ago Midwinter ritual when everything had gone so horribly wrong, nearly dooming their world to an endless Winter. Now Darak is the tribe's Memory-Keeper and his wife Griane is the Healer. They have three children of their own, and their oldest boy, Keirith, has recently become an apprentice to the Tree-Father. But the Tree-Father has discovered that Keirith is using his talent to do the forbidden. He is riding the spirits of other living creatures, the very crime for which the evil Morgath - who had come close to destroying the tribe - was executed. When the truth is revealed to Keirith's parents he fless the village, only to discover in both vision and reality that raiders are about to attack his people. The attackers are beaten off but they take Keirith captive. And though Darak swiftly sets off on his trail, both father and son are only taking the first steps on a path that will lead to the heart of a distant city where the two must confront their darkest nightmares...