The Rosy Plague has swept the land - even Ranger Andacanavar's far-off country of Alpinador has seen its blight- and it may only be a matter of time before the elven Touel'Alfar themselves fall to the deadly disease. Rioting sweeps the cities, instigated by Marcalo De'Unnero's Brothers Repentant and abetted by Duke Tetrafel's own Allheart Brigade. Can Jilseponie Wyndon find a way to conquer both the madness of men and the biological devastation of nature?