When disaster strikes, Charlotte runs to the painter for solace, only to find him gone. Her last hope, Ellsworth, a smithy in the town of Clearwater, also disappears. Returning to her mother's town of Albany, Charlotte is given many opportunities to succeed. Summoned by his dying father, Ellsworth finds himself back in Albany. The foundry is now Ellsworth's responsibility. In the Hammer and Anvil, Charlotte and Ellsworth are driven in different directions . By who or what, they do now know. Unaware their paths cross in Albany, Charlotte discovers paintings that seem to be precursors to Ellsworth's fate. While one resides in self pity and the other is pushed to the brink of death, they discover how much pain they can endure until they emerge as strong as steel.