Tam Hashford, as they say, “has a terrible itching in her soul.” She is terribly annoyed “at her unenviable lot: working for copper pennies as a waiter in an Ardburg inn and occasionally entertaining visitors by playing the lute. It’s sad when all the adventures are limited to just a walk through the Beast Market.” And most importantly - how long can she serve drinks to the famous mercenaries and listen to the bards sing about adventures and glory in the world outside her sleepy town.

And when “Skaz” rolls into the city - a company of mercenaries led by the famous Bloody Rose, daughter of Golden Gabriel, one of the legendary Kings of Dread, Tam jumps at the chance to join them as a squad bard. She wants adventure - and she will get it, because “Skaz” does not even go to fight the Fierce Horde that besieged Coldflame Pass, but goes to fulfill a secret order in Zlodebri; and what awaits them in the Evil Wilds is much more terrible than the Fierce Horde...