The Cyrgai generals are defeated when the Troll gods ally themselves with Sparhawk but their god, Cyrgon, seeks to avoid defeat through the unspeakable arts of Zemoch magic. He brings back to the world the very essence of evil, first cast out at the beginning of time. Queen Ehlana has been kidnapped by Lord Scarpa and the Styric magician, Zalasta, who demands the blue rose as her ransom. All Sparhawk's ingenuity and strategic skill are needed to save her and to bring about the ultimate battle.