Following the events in Kristen Britain's acclaimed first novel, Karigan G'ladheon, who took on the mantle of king's messenger after chancing upon a dying Green Rider, has returned to her everyday life, the thrills and perils of being caught up in great events apparently behind her. But few may evade their destiny, and Karigan is soon to face even greater dangers...Blackveil Forest is stirring, its tainted powers seeping through the breach in the D'Yer Wall, the bulwark built a thousand years ago to hem in the ancient evil of the forest. The people of Sacoridia are caught unawares, for the power of the forest has been forgotten over the generations, and they have not kept watch. While havoc sweeps the countryside, and even visits within the walls of King Zachary's castle, Alton D'Yer, a Green Rider and scion of the stoneworkers who created the wall, attempts to mend the breach, only to find himself lured into Blackveil's devious plots. The taint of Blackveil takes yet another dangerous turn: it strips the Green Riders of their magical abilities, and leaves them leaderless in their time of need, for Captain Mapstone has locked herself away, tormented by her own magic. Summoned to duty by the call of the First Rider, Karigan must help the Riders, and face the truth about her own savage heritage. Sought by undead warriors and caught in the mechinations of the mysterious Eletians, Karigan must confront an ancient enemy in the rotten heart of Blackveil.