Baenre, the high priestess of the spider queen Loth, is preparing for war against Mithril Hall. There the renegade dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden has found refuge with the dwarf king Bruenor and his adopted daughter Cattie-brie. But Cattie-brie has terrible dreams, magic fails, Drizzt's magical panther Guenhwyvar is doomed to die. And the hordes from the dark elf city of Menzoberranzan are already at the gates of Mithril-Halle ...