In this third book set in the Three Lands of Abuscan, Catherine returns to Palindor along with her middle-aged son Michael and her teenaged grand-daughter, Diana. The book intertwines the stories of Catherine, Michael and Diana, along with many other characters from the earlier books, as well as several new ones. For the first time we meet Phendric, the grandson of Drefynt, of whom it was prophesied long ago that he would be "great and saving", and Toldwyn, long dead and now brought back to face a final challenge in the dungeons of the castle in Carn Toldwyn. The story takes place not only in Palindor but also in Malthazzar's realm, Sheol, culminating in a terrifying ordeal in the Pit itself, from which there can be no escape.