The Bedine witch Ruha has left the parched sea of Anauroch on her quest to become a Harper. That quest takes her to Elversult, where she must prove herself by discovering who has poisoned Lady Yanseldara. Simple enough. Find the poison and track the poisoner.

Simple...until the Cult of the Dragon, a Shou Prince, an oriental merchant, and an ancient dracolich get involved.

As Ruha soon discovers, life is never simple for a Harper, and poisoners' plots hold more treacherous twists than the tail of a Shou dragon.