Queen Beulah is determined to have her war, despatching Inquisitor Melyn north, through the ancient forest to cross unseen into the land of her enemies. Battling the ever growing influence of Magog, Benfro struggles to resist the treacherous orders of the long dead Dragon Mage, a task made yet more difficult by the arrival of Errol in his forest refuge. His body broken, Errol is tormented by dreams of his beloved Martha, imprisoned in a Golden Cage. He has escaped from King Ballah's torture chamber but remains powerless to help her. Yet fate has united these two. Errol holds the key to halting Magog's influence, and Benfro has the skill to heal broken bones. Working together they might survive. Apart, they will surely perish, and all Gwlad with them.