Zodinhel had neither the wealth nor the status to employ a tutor, and her expulsion from the Wehmkin Archive prevented her from improving what little talent she possessed. Their final hope extinguished, her family soon fell to the hardships of poverty. In her grief, she opened her heart to an evil power which offered her a chance for revenge. If the knowledge of the ages would be denied to her, then no one else could have it. "My hatred will turn every last page into ashes!"