He flew higher, preening in the praise, and stopped to float even with her. Nightseer, I will not be tricked by mere flattery. He tried to smile and made a snarl of black jowls and ivory fangs. Why, you, Nightseer. There is a plague in the village of Cortton, a plague of the dead.
Corpses walk the streets in search of the living.
The villagers send for the Mage-finder Jonathan Ambrose, for they believe evil magic is at work. They are right. Jonathan soon discovers that it is Harkon Lukas who is behind the destruction of the town. Harkon Lukas has a plan for escaping the bounds of his realm. One of Jonathan's followers is just the person that Harkon Lukas needs.