The country of Dalanine, at war with the vicious Despot, turns to young magician Evon Lorantis to solve a mystery: a rash of spontaneously occurring fires that melt stone and vaporize flesh. This weapon could finally defeat the Despot, and they want Evon to harness it.

But Evon soon discovers the mystery is far greater, and far older, than anyone imagined. His journey will take him across the country in pursuit of the rogue magician behind the fires and entangle him in a thousand-year-old story-and will irrevocably change the course of his life.