After suffering near-fatal injuries, Lynan Rosetheme, holder of the Key of Union, is healed and transformed through the blood of the vampire Silona. He awakes from his deep sleep to find he has found refuge from his avenging sister, Areava, queen of Grenda Lear, with the wild northern Chetts who live on the Ocean of Grass. Now he must unite them behind him so he can win back his inheritance from Areava and her allies.