The tyrannical young King Imre, hated by many in the medieval kingdom of Gwynedd for his injustices against the people, has just murdered courtier Cathan MacRorie, who has been like a brother to him and truly had no knowledge of a treasonous plot afoot in the kingdom. Now that his body has been returned home and the suspicious circumstances of his death left officially unexplained, the MacRories know the time has come for decisive action against the crown. A company of the king's soldiers is keeping a close watch on the family's movements, and there is no time to lose. Nobleman Camber MacRorie sets aside his grief for his lost son, and, drawing on the arcane mental powers that are his as a member of the Deryni race, casts a shape-changing spell that enables his other two sons to escape without notice. They will make a wintery journey...