"Darkness is rising in the continent of Onoris." Noble boy, Zarek Rheatonsey, the scarlet-eyed devil, is sent by his father to join a knight's order. In Heolstorflod forest, to the east of the Sacred Hand fortress, Zarek has been given a first-hand look at the evil that happens in his land. His companions were brutally murdered. Left in despair, he vows to avenge their deaths by hunting the man who killed them; the Skull-Knight: Lucius Kane. Zarek must now avenge their deaths, by hunting for their killer...or die trying.

The thief manages to steal through the snow-infested lands of the kingdom without capture, even going so far as to steal from carriages while their owners are fully awake and present. His rapid rise to infamy results in his capture, but he always appears to be a step ahead of his captors. Cal is charged with keeping a watchful eye on the thief, but he quickly realizes something is not quite normal about the silent prisoner...