The ghost of King Aldreas, Elana’s father, reveals to Sparhawk that only Bhelliom—an enormous sapphire carved in the shape of a rose and possessing incredible magical power—can save his daughter. However, the gem was lost during the war with the Zemochs many hundreds of years ago, and the last thing known about it is that it adorned the crown of the Thalesian king Sarek, who fell in those distant times. Once again Sparhawk and his companions set out on a quest, but this time they are pursued by the servant of the Zemoch god Azash—the hound-demon and the troll-dwarf Ghwerig, both desperate to obtain Bhelliom.