This story is set days after the events of Gauntlgrym and brings back both familiar and unfamiliar characters.

Dahlia explains to Drizzt that although the Dread Ring has been broken, Sylora Salm will make it her priority to reestablish it by any means necessary.

After defeating the first few bandits it is learned that they are starving farmers driven off of their lands by the High Captains' policies.

Sylora Salm stands with her new lieutenant and Ashmadai zealot Jestry Rallevin in front of the greatly weakened Dread Ring.

Sulkir Szass Tam appears in the Ring and lets Sylora know that he is displeased with her efforts and is prepared to destroy her for her failure.

Sylora sends Jestry to attend Valindra and to keep an eye on her, tempting him with the promise of making him her lover.

Meanwhile, Herzgo Alegni commands for Barrabus the Grey to be brought before him and explain why his orders to kill Sylora were not carried out.

Barrabus arrives in Neverwinter on behalf of the Shadovar and offers to help the town defend itself.

Drizzt notices Beniago has a jewel encrusted dagger that he swears he has seen before, but shakes it off and concludes that his mind is playing tricks on him.

Sylora continues to gather her forces when Hadencourt a malebranche devil in the service of Szass arrives.

Before the attack Jestry and Sylora go to visit Valindra's friend Arunika who promises them her help.

The attack on Neverwinter occurs and Barrabus takes to the field and begins to turn the battle.

This is a setup and Dahlia soon finds herself in a fight against Beniago against his magic dagger (of life stealing) and in a room full of traps she doesn't know.

She says she will call the local herb man but that they need a dose of the poison in order to make an antidote.

Drizzt returns to Luskan and trades the antidote from Beniago for the promise to support him in future once he has taken the title of High Captain of Ship Kurth.

In Neverwinter Herzgo is visited by Draygo Quick a powerful warlock of the Netherese and his master.

Draygo wishes for Herzgo to finish his conquest of the region and leaves his disciple a teifling Effron the Twisted behind.

The aboleth helps with Valindra's mental state and an alliance of convenience is formed between the Thayans and the Sovereignty.

The process is fatal and will eventually kill him within the year, but he is transformed into a mindless slave with the sole purpose of being Sylora's champion against Dahlia.

Barrabus' attacks are largely ineffectual and Herzgo carries the day and earns the peoples admiration.

As a final act of trust Artemis attacks Drizzt and holds his poisoned knife under his throat and pulls it back without harming him, proving that he has no intention of hurting him.

Valindra still suffers from some mental instability and spends the majority of the battle watching from afar.

In the aftermath of the battle Entreri tells them that he must return to Neverwinter as compelled to serve Herzgo.

Dahlia upon hearing this name learns that her most hated foe is the leader of the Shadovar and declares she would have stayed by Sylora's side had she known.

With Sylora dead Dahlia considered her business in the region finished until she learns of Herzgo whom she vows to kill.

Sylora's life is preserved by the power of the Dread Ring but before she can do anything, Jestry returns as an undead under the control of Valindra and kills her.