After the settling dust of the demon uprising and two years of peace, rumblings from the Menzoberranzan drow have Jarlaxle nervous. Worried his allies may be pulled into a Civil War between the great Houses, he is eager to ensure Zaknafein is armed with weapons befitting his skill, including one in particular: Khazid'hea. A powerful artifact, the sword known as "Cutter" has started wars, corrupted its users, and spilled the blood of many, many people....

"Wily elf Drizzt Do'Urden has been around for 35 years, and he's a legend in the drow city Menzoberranzan for having escaped its evils. Here, the city is on the edge as the drow begin questioning rampant corruption and the very story of the city's founding, with Drizzt along for the ride to examine his role as father, friend, and quester."