"No man can serve two masters forever."

Despite being the second-in-command to the ruler of the River Realm, Eamon Goodman becomes the victim of vengeful plots engineered by the other Quarter Hands. Eamon finds himself powerless to stop them, and the people he cares for are under threat. He then discovers that the Nightholt--the book he long ago delivered to the Master's Hands--holds the key to the Master's power, which will become absolute upon the death of the King. Thus the stage for the final battle is set.