The stranger, to whose aid Nerian comes, is young, beautiful and mysterious. At her insistence he accepts the gift of a Crook. A decision Nerian soon regrets when he becomes the target of a deadly manhunt. To survive, Nerian must evade the forces of the merciless Lord Sigeberht as he attempts to return the Crook to its mistress. 
 
Held captive within the tyrant's castle, Naomi, the Guardian of the Crook, awaits an opportunity to escape. As Lord Sigeberht fails in his attempts to obtain the object, external forces take control of his mind - their promises of ultimate power and riches drive him blindly towards disaster.. 
 
Unknown to Nerian, as he desperately seeks out Naomi, another, too, is making his way towards her. To Naomi alone is granted the ability to combine the different magical burdens of her seekers. Only when the come together can she hope to repel the forces of Sigeberht and conquer the evil of the shadows he has released into the world. What is the significance of Gabrielle, the kidnapped daughter of the Keeper? As a weapon against the forces of evil, the innocence of a child can never be underestimated.