Troubled young Fawn Bluefield seeks a life beyond her family's farm. Buten route to the city, she encounters a patrol of Lakewalkers, nomadicsoldier-sorcerers from the northern woodlands. Feared necromancers armedwith mysterious knives made of human bone, they wage a secret, ongoing waragainst the scourge of the "malices," immortal entities that draw the lifeout of their victims, enslaving human and animal alike. It isDag—a Lakewalker patroller weighed down by past sorrows and onerouspresent responsibilities—who must come to Fawn's aid when she istaken captive by a malice. They prevail at a devastatingcost—unexpectedly binding their fates as they embark upon aremarkable journey into danger and delight, prejudice and partnership . .. and perhaps even love.