The destitute girl Thrace asks Royce and Hadrian to protect her remote village from the nightly attacks of an unknown monster. However, the two encounter much greater difficulties than anticipated: the creature seems invincible. According to an ancient prophecy, only the secret in the old elven tower of Avempartha can assist the streetwise thieves. But why do representatives of the nobility and the Church of Nyphron suddenly appear in this forsaken area? And what are the goals of Esrahaddon, the wizard?.