Michael MacClellan is young, happy, successful and lucky in almost every way. He works hard and can't imagine wanting anything more. People are amazed at his continuous good spirits, despit the misfortune of having lost his father at a young age. Michael and his brother, Stephen return home one night and get the shock of a lifetime in the form of their father, sitting in his customary seat by the fire, as if it were only yesterday that they'd seen him. Jon has a message for his sons, one of caution that may mean that Michael's luck is finally running out. Despite being forewarned of things to come, Michael has no idea what to do about it, and he's frightened of his own shadow.