The three kingdoms of Salvation have been at war so long that they have forgotten to watch an even bigger threat: the Malstop and the incursion from the demon plane which it contains; but as Princess Johanne of Embria contemplates her upcoming marriage to Prince Rune of Caberwill which will unite two of the kingdoms (if she does not kill him) the Malstop is weakening--and Nightrender, the only warrior who can save the world, sleeps in her castle, waiting for someone to summon her.