Overview

War is brewing on the Bitter Sea, and though the Kallandish drew first blood, they are far from prepared for what follows.The fate of Kalland rests upon the shoulders of two young women. Anneka Toran, thrust once more into the seat of power, must navigate the murky waters of royal politics and unite her country, before it is too late. Her paramour, the half-elven mage Arnessa, faces a journey of her own, one that will push her to the very limits of her abilities and fortitude.

Meanwhile, the privateer Garnier Fox, architect of the current chaos, lurks in Freehaven, cowering from the agents of both Kalland and Kurenn. One man cannot avoid the notice of two great powers for long, but luckily, Garnier has a plan...

In Sverkermark, Richard Beaufort finds himself torn between the family he loves and the duty he is sworn to, as he follows the banners of Astrid av Kalte once more into the fray.

All the while, in the south beyond the Bitter Sea, the armies of Kurenn move inexorably closer. Led by Malos Osatuan, the Empire's greatest commander, Kalland will soon learn the price of defying the Phoenix...