Hordes of northern conquerors from Vigelia, supported not only by the priestesses of the powerful order of all-seeing Witnesses, but also by squads of fearless werewolves-verists, poured into the South. Under the onslaught of the Vigelians, rich Florengia and the children of the Doge - Dantio, Benard, Orlando and Fabia - were given hostage to the victors. Years passed. Benardo became a famous sculptor and the husband of a beautiful ruler of a distant country, Orlando - one of the most powerful and cruel believers. Dantio, brutally mutilated, has achieved the highest power in the Order of the Witnesses, and Fabia, raised as a noble northerner, is dedicated to the ominous goddess Xaran - the mistress of death and birth. And now the time has come for the hostages to return home. Their father is dying, and one of his sons will have to take his place. Officially, Dantio, Orlando, Benard and Fabia are not interfered with. But secretly following on their heels, burning with hatred and a thirst for revenge, is the mother of the Vigelian prince Terek, who was killed by Orlando, - High Priestess Xaran - Saltaya, a warlock with the gift of subjugating people and plunging them into bloody madness...