A charitable count offers to adopt young Caidel into a life of nobility, and the orphan boy only has to pledge one thing in return: follow the "ember" and seek out the witch that set fire to his childhood village.
Raised as a skilled fighter in a family of alchemists, Caidel now sets out to find the white-haired witch. When he finally encounters a woman with flowing white hair, she is kind and gentle—contrary to the rumors spread by other villagers.
Could the sweet Eleanor be the same witch from his nightmares? Between love and vengeance, which will Caidel choose?