Riordan Murphy returns to Brimley expecting nothing. What he finds is a town that hasn't forgotten the name he used to carry, and hasn't forgiven him either.

He was Lucas Emery once. Lord of Brimley. It wasn't a proud history.

Before he can reckon with any of it, a Stranger comes to him with a peculiar claim: Riordan is dying, and he has something for him. A watch. Riordan doesn't take the warning seriously. He doesn't make it to morning.