The stranger, to whose aid Nerian comes, is young, beautiful and mysterious. At her insistence he accepts a gift of a Crook. A decision Nerian soon comes to regret as he finds himself the target of a manhunt. To survive, Nerian must evade the forces sent against him by the merciless Lord Sigeberht and find a way to return the Crook. Held captive within the castle of the tyrant, Naomi, the Guardian of the Crook, awaits her opportunity to escape. As Lord Sigeberht fails in his attempts to obtain the object, external forces take control of his mind - their promises of ultimate power and riches...