In the fist two books Richard Cypher has overcome his evil father Darken Rahl he has also defeated the keeper and sisters of the dark for the time being but the old world has been opened up by the failure of the barriers seperating them all from each other and a new menace has risen its ugly head. Brogan is a man who is bent on wiping out magic a religious zealot he doesnt mind using magic to catch the people he wishes to destroy even using his own sister a sorceress also entering the quest is Emperor Jagang a dreamwalker who can control peoples minds through dreams he enters there minds while they sleep and commands them to do his bidding even if it means there deaths as a result. The followers of Jagang and Brogan are fanatical and do there masters bidding to the letter only Richard can conquer this foe but it will cost him dearly this time.