Taking place around the same time as Empire of Storms, Chaol Westfall travels to the Southern Continent with Nesryn Faliq to receive treatment from the gifted healers there, and to raise a powerful army against the Valg. Yrene Towers' attempts of healing him lead to her becoming entangled in Chaol's past. Meanwhile, Nesryn improves relations with her family during her stay, and befriends Prince Sartaq.