The story begins in Paris and moves swiftly into the otherworld of Morgravia. Gabe, a writer and bookseller living in Paris is asked by one of his customers, Rene -- a psychiatrist -- to use his writing skills to help mentor a young woman patient. Rene has been unable to help her and believes that her panic attacks, depression and inability to communicate can be helped through the writing process. When Angeline is under hypnosis, Gabe hears a frantic voice in his mind and realises it must be Angeline's. Consequently, Gabe is the target of an attempt on his life ... Angeline tells him he must kill her and absorb her spirit which will then enable her to take them through a portal to the dangerous lands of Morgravia. Only there can she prove that he is the scrivener who can interpret the language of the gods ... and save a queen and a land from destruction.