After traversing the vast emptiness of the Weepingwaste and finding no help in the sacred city of Fontamity, Livid and Curesoon follow a rumor that they might find some of the sacred fruit upon an island called the Isle of Miserytaken. As they journey to this island, they find themselves standing at the oaken gates of Eastharbor. As night falls, Barghests begin to howl behind them while the guards upon the walls of the city refuse to open the gates. Fear grips the heart of the gray-maiden as the great black fell-hounds close in on the two way-worn travelers.
They must survive, for if Curesoon does not return to Baleful, the old Troll of Miremurk will wreak havoc upon the bard's childhood home of Eaglespeak.