To avenge his Father's shame, and his Mother's adulterous affair with his Father's advisor Marten Broadcloak, young Roland Deschain son of Steven has passed his rite of manhood. But his survival means that Gilead is no longer safe for him. As a threat to Marten, Roland would be dead before the sun rose.Under cover, Roland and his friends Alain and Cuthbert are sent to the town of Hambry in the barony of Meijis posing as apprentice drovers to secure horses for the coming conflict with John Farson. While there, they are also to spy out if any in the town aid or support Farson. But there are other forces at work in Hambry, which will ultimate propel Roland towards his dark fate.