Reeth Caldason, Kutch Pirathon and Dulian Karr make contact with Phoenix, the head of Covenant, who uses a fragment of Founder knowledge to change his appearance at will. They also meet Quinn Disgleirio, of the Fellowship of the Righteous Blade, a long-moribund martial order that has been revived to fight for Bhealfa’s independence.

The Resistance, Covenant and the Blade Fellowship form the United Revolutionary Council. Karr reveals that the Council’s aim is the establishment of a free state.

Caldason is found to be partially immortal, and his ageing process has been greatly slowed down. He has no idea why he should be in this condition. Covenant believes that the Founders left a hoard of knowledge called the Source. No one knows what form the Source takes, but it’s traditionally associated with the legend of the Clepsydra, said to be a device for marking off the eons to the Day of Destruction.

The Source could provide the Resistance with a powerful weapon against the empires, and Caldason with a cure. He determines to find it, but is constantly frustrated by events.

Kutch also has a strange, unsuspected attribute. He possesses the incredibly rare spotter talent. Spotters can look beyond the falsity of magic and distinguish illusion from reality. Phoenix offers to coach the boy in the proper use of the skill. But Kutch soon finds himself sharing Caldason’s terrifying visions.

Kinsel and Tanalvah become lovers, and set up house with the children. But Tanalvah worries that Kinsel runs too many risks through his Resistance work. A concern that proves all too real when Devlor Bastorran identifies them as Resistance fellow travellers.

Prince Melyobar plots to massacre the entire population of Bhealfa. His plan is to isolate death, and deprive the entity of the masses to hide in.