As a child, Gabriel witnesses the brutal attack on a young Shinali woman, one of a barbarian tribe living beyond the hills. Terrified, he does nothing to help - but takes from the dying Shinali a mysterious bone carving. Somehow, it soothes his guilt - but also conjures strange visions that will one day guide him towards the discovery of a secret sacrament . . .
For Gabriel does not wish to follow in his father's footsteps as is expected of him, and become a wealthy, sea-faring merchant. He knows he is destined to become a healer, with the power to decipher dreams, whatever his angry family may say.
His decision to hold true to his destiny is one that will cost him dearly, one that threatens to tear apart the whole, overbearing Navoran Empire - but which might just save an entire people.
