All the world's wisdom and magic reside within the iridescent depths of a small white pearl. "All my sorcery," the Ancient Ravenna had said to Aeriel. "It is left to you to save the world."

But is the pearl powerful enough to enable Aeriel to defeat the White Witch? Aeriel's people have assembled an army—led by the redeemed darkangel, Irrylath—and are soon to attack the Witch and her darkangel sons. But their cause is hopeless unless Aeriel can unravel the riddle of Ravenna and unlock the mysteries of the pearl—and of her own destiny.