With the creature vanished, tensions rise at the school after it's revealed that head wizard Almagest's death may not have been an accident. Meanwhile having discovered clues to the whereabouts of the feared Firebrand shards, Kuelack sets out to find them together with the disinherited Dragonlord Ramus, whilst Kuelack's sadistic and power hungry wife Gradine embarks on a campaign to kill and imprison the Bruins and their friends. But, with each piece they unearth, Kuelack and especially Ramus begin to comprehend why the shards were so feared. Intent on spoiling Kuelack's plans Ramus seeks the Balefires, a powerful sect of witches that the shards have no influence over, but his plans go awry. It's at this time that the young Aridain Bruin stumbles across what he thinks are four pretty green stones hidden beneath the roots of a tree. However, like a moth to a flame the Dark Taal, stalking the surrounding countryside once more, is drawn inexorably to Aridain and the struggle for control of the Firebrand shards ensues...