Zaknafien and his mercenary friend, Jarlaxle, endure the most difficult challenges of their lives to secure the fate of Gauntlgym, before unexpected circumstances compel an uncontrollable battle against life itself.

"Centuries ago, in the city of Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, the City of Drow, nestled deep in the unmerciful Underdark of Toril, a young weapon master earned a reputation far above his station or that of his poor house. The greater nobles watched him, and one matron, in particular, decided to take him as her own. She connived with rival great houses to secure her prize, but that prize was caught for her by another, who came to quite enjoy...

"Something akin to 'peace' has come to the Underdark. The demon hordes have receded, and now the matron mothers argue over the fate of Drizzt Do'Urden. Even so, it becomes clear to one matriarch after another that while the renegade drow may come and go Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders will crawl forever on. And so Drizzt is free to return to his home on the surface once again, but he doesn't go home unchanged. ... Scores are settled as lives are...

In the wake of the demon uprising and two years of peace, a Civil war is in the offing, and Jarlaxle and a small group of friends go on an expedition in search of Doum'wielle, the last wielder of the powerful sword known as "Cutter", in hopes that she may be the key to unlocking the sword's potential. After the settling dust of the demon uprising and two years of peace, rumblings from the Menzoberranzan drow have Jarlaxle nervous. Worried his allies...