Ryshad had no choice but to kill his long-time friend and ally Aiten. Aiten's mind had been corrupted by the mysterious Elietimm and he was a danger to himself and a deadly threat to others. But that is no consolation to the grieving Ryshad and certainly will be of no help when he tries to explain it to Aiten's family. To distract him from his troubles and from the strange dreams he has been having, Ryshad's patron, Messire D'Olbriot, sends him to Caladhria to assist the...

Mara of Acoma, Ruling Lady of her house, has now established herself as a force within the Empire. As an expert player of the Game of the Council, she is a master of its bloody political maneuvering. Mara has made gains for her followers, including new lands, but the war effort on the world of Midkemia is draining off manpower, and slaves are difficult to find.. So against advice Mara buys a group of Midkemian prisoners-of-war, only to discover that one of them is a noble: Kevin, third son of...

Led by their prophetess mother, twins Bowman and Kestrel travel with the Manth people to their promised land, struggling along the way Bowman with desire, and Kestrel with the troubling realization that she cannot foresee life beyond this journey.