Calamitous was born during a stormy night, and this was seen as a sign that he was the promised savior. Yet, sometimes great expectations put undue pressure upon those who bear them especially when it was foretold that the savior will defeat a cruel and cunning Dragon, destroy the Tree of Deepshadows, and heal the Tree-Glimmering. Meanwhile, a young woman named Propitious is thrust into the world of adulthood, and the journey is proving to be painful. However, as she makes her way upon the cruel path of her life, she is able to bring hope to a few she meets along the way.

Calamitous was born during a fearfully stormy night. His twin brother, Salubrious, was born as that same storm began to calm and bacame peaceful. This was seen as a sign that Calamitous and Salubrious were two sides of the same promised savior. Yet, sometimes great expectations put undue pressure upon those who bear them especially when it was foretold that the savior would defeat a cruel and cunning Dragon, destroy the Tree of Deepshadows, and heal the Tree-Glimmering. Meanwhile, a young woman named Propitious is thrust into the world of adulthood, and the journey is proving to be painful. Will she allow her woes and sorrows to darken her heart, or will she keep her eyes trained upon the promise of hope?

Livid's past is a complete mystery. She was found at night in the warm sands of the great desert. Only a newborn, she was thought to be dreadfully ill because of her total lack of color. Her skin was as pale as snow, and even her blood was dark-gray in color. She now lives the solitary life of a shepherdess on the edge of the very desert where she was found some nineteen years earlier. In this environment, Livid has learned to take care of herself, and she fears nothing... Nothing, that is, except water! Living in the driest place on the world of Riven, she knows very little of this strange fluid, but seas of water haunt her dreams, and thus she fears it with debilitating terror. Meanwhile, far to the west, a bard named Curesoon has been seeking to find his family. Thus engaged, he steps into the shadows of the black bog Miremurk, and unknowingly embarks upon an adventure that will draw in many, including even the gray-maiden named Livid.

After traversing the vast emptiness of the Weepingwaste and finding no help in the sacred city of Fontamity, Livid and Curesoon follow a rumor that they might find some of the sacred fruit upon an island called the Isle of Miserytaken. As they journey to this island, they find themselves standing at the oaken gates of Eastharbor. As night falls, Barghests begin to howl behind them while the guards upon the walls of the city refuse to open the gates. Fear grips the heart of the gray-maiden as the great black fell-hounds close in on the two way-worn travelers. They must survive, for if Curesoon does not return to Baleful, the old Troll of Miremurk will wreak havoc upon the bard's childhood home of Eaglespeak.

After crash-landing their airship, Curesoon and his companions find themselves upon the wrong side of a vast and deadly desert. Their only hope of surviving the perilous journey across the Sea of Fire is a gray-skinned shepherdess named Livid. As they wind their way along the dusty road toward to the edge of the desert, Livid feels uneasy about leaving her old life behind. She has only ever known the life as a slave, and she is quickly finding her newly gained freedom to be somewhat overwhelming.