"Cralnywni dor raca! Now meet your death!" These words were not spoken to Michael Liddle but the possibility of death draws ever nearer due to the machinations of the Eldest of the Eldest and the continuing plotting of Rogdul. Though stymied in his latest attempt to kill Michael and prevent him from obtaining the second component to the Ideema Gift, the First of Cru's thirst for revenge remains unabated and he conspires to thwart Michael's on-going efforts to recover the last two remaining modules of the Gift. Like a chess game, Rogdul moves his "pieces" ever closer to place Michael into check and bring an end to his life.