Jarin Ayers is the Lord Protector of the Riverlands. Since the Single King's War, the gods have done nothing but curse him. For six years, no rain fell in the Riverlands bringing nothing but drought, death, and destruction. This created a depressed and pessimistic Lord Protector. His lady wife, Dimia Ayers, now hates him. His two sons, Terryn and Dain, keep their distance from him. As if his life couldn't be worse, his only friend and advisor Hamlin, is dying. As Jarin beings to believe that only death could save him, it rains.