Cut off from his friends and the Druid Allanon, Shea is determined to continue his pursuit of Orl Fane, the crazed gnome who has stolen the fabled Sword of Shannara.
But time is already running out, for the Warlock Lord has summoned a vast army of gnomes, trolls and northmen. Under the command of his dreaded Skull Bearers they have begun a march south - with plans to annihilate all in their path.