Publisher's Synopsis
The Betrayer's ship lands at Ban'Ganleth and Ethrayne is locked up in Gregnor's vast citadel. Her powers developing, Ethrayne realises just how merciless the Betrayer and his servants are. The rebuilding of Clirensar continues and Duchess Lyria is in charge as her husband, Pualyn, returns to Tenum City with the King to command the kingdom and the alliance.Moons pass before Jerryn and Phellos are dragged in to the throne room and the couple are briefly reunited.During the northern summer, Gregnor finally moves on with his plans to destroy the wills of Ethrayne and Jerryn; he takes them to Car'Agasse, Arven's ice palace and rapes them both before their frozen God. His attack continues back in Ban'Ganleth: to break their minds so that he can command them totally. This culminates on the northern Summer Solstice and Ethrayne and Jerryn are enslaved. Shocked, frozen in Car'Agasse, their God, Arven starts to realise that he can finally tell a little of what is occurring around Iullyn and, furious at the revolting violence he has witnessed, he starts to gather strength. Arven breaks free of the ice that has imprisoned him for well over 800 years. He cannot hope to rescue Ethrayne and Jerryn, but he can get Phellos, desperately injured, to safety. An earthquake alerts King Gregnor and he sets the region to high-alert, ensuring that the Wielders of the Flame are securely guarded. King Marrand is awoken by the earthquake presaging their God's return. Sergeant Tymain is given his own copy of the Book of Days to study. Arven travels around Iullyn, reassuring his followers across the kingdoms.Ethrayne and Jerryn continue training for the war that their master is planning. Ships are being built and supplies and equipment stockpiled across Enlath. Similarly, the allies under Arven are doing the same thing. Lyria gives birth and her husband and their son are declared interim-heirs of King Marrand. Tymain finds a third prophecy detailing the west of Selith as the theatre of the next war. Phellos travels through the Protectorate Kingdoms to preach on the Betrayer's evil, utilising portals created by their God: they need soldiers to meet the Betrayer's vast armies. Phellos and Marrand become lovers. The Betrayer sets sail with his vast fleet. Halfway across the ocean, Ethrayne and Jerryn break free of Gregnor's power but he is unaware of this monumental change until, landing at Derent Bay, they attack him and flee to Arven's side. At dawn, they deploy. Marrand, Mhezal and Bahlien are killed. Ethrayne, Jerryn and Arven can stop his advance, but cannot kill him. They force the Betrayer to retreat. Moons later, they finally wed.
