So when Desma the orchard keeper rides in late one snowy night with news of ominous noises in the mountains, Lev knows the time for action has come.
But when Chief Magnus refuses to act, Lev takes matters into his own hands. Defying orders, he and Desma ride to the mountains to investigate the source of the disturbance.
What they discover is beyond their worst fears: a deadly threat has arrived on the village’s doorstep – and Lev and Desma are Dervine’s first and only line of defence.