Jack is drawn into a vision of fire across dark water-a prophecy entwining loss, reunion, and the fate of wanderers across worlds. As ancient powers clash and loved ones slip beyond reach, he must face what fire reveals, what water carries away, and what remains.

Autumn’s rains have brought Chuck and Cissy from their Quarry camp to Sue’s and Jack’s welcome in The Garret. And Jack’s mother has finally surrendered; their wedding will be at Calhoun after all, with a target date set next April.

Jack, though, is distraught. For a vivid dream has shown time’s breakneck rush in Marsan’s World may already have swept Norma and the others past all hope of rescue. In it “something infinitely precious” was burning, the flames reflected in water like a Viking funeral’s. And their stone-giant mentor has told the new-sworn Champions no souls in Marsan’s World may leave it even at death; a dark God’s ban holds them trapped there, never to return.

Even strengthened by the King’s awesome power, what hope can the Champions have to overcome a God? Can they still find a way to bring their friends home to the world they’ve inherited beneath the Mist? Or will that God’s revenge doom them all?