Having narrowly escaped financial ruin, Lawrence turns hisattention to helping Holo find her ancient homeland in the North. But how longcan a traveling merchant afford to wander the countryside looking for a villagethat he suspects may have ceased to exist long ago? When a rival merchant setshis sights on Lawrence's beautiful companion, though, can Lawrence truly beconfident that Holo will remain by his side? Has the time come when Lawrencemust ask himself whether his relationship with the Wisewolf is business orpleasure?