The Harshman brought his fist down on the arm of the Faithful Throne, and roared to the sleeping people, ‘I … Am … Margrave … Now.’

Having escaped the salt mines, Duckling, Pummel, Sooli and Otte return to the Strong-hold to find out who is responsible for raising the murderous Harshman. But with Grafine von Eisen ruling as Regent, all that awaits them is the dungeon and the executioner’s axe.

The children must hide in the Strong-hold’s stone walls, while Sooli walks the path of death, searching desperately for clues. And when the Harshman arrives, turning friends and allies against each other, time is running out.

With no one on their side but a cat, a ghost and a chicken who has forgotten her true identity, the children must use all their wits - and all their magic - to defeat the Harshman before he becomes unstoppable.