A charitable count offers to adopt young Kaidel 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, Kaidel 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 Kaidel choose?