Publisher's Synopsis
Newly crowned, King Koradan VII rules in Marna. As he makes new appointments and consolidates his power, he sends out a contingent of King's Guards under Major Cavishar Thornton, tasked with bringing back Jacen Rainbow and his fellow conspirators to stand trial for the death of Chancellor Ingrumund, Earl of Thana. With the consent of Keeper Terah, he also sends Captain Giles Krandrannon and his Swornbrothers to aid in the apprehension. For Jacen Rainbow is gifted with the sword, but can he handle two Blademasters? In Thana, Intrumin Ingrumund, eldest son of Chancellor Ingrumund, burns with the need to avenge his father's murder. He sends his brothers and uncles out, each to a different location to head off and capture the murderer. The king in Marna has his form of justice, the new earl has his. It is a race to see who will capture Jacen Rainbow first and administer their own brand of justice. On the island nation of Egrecia, evil plots stir. Drazjim of the Bloodied Sword Phratry, First Blade and Assassin of the Greater Order is summoned to Egrea, Holy City of the Priests, to receive an assignment from the hands of the Primus himself. His task is simple, the holy dagger has been stolen, and the one who possesses it will soon come to Egrea to claim that which he will be drawn to. When he comes, kill him, and retrieve the dagger. Yet the priests plot their own dark desires, and Hierarch U'zberanjin and the Primus both have the power and the will to see their dark dreams come through. Neral remains under siege by an army of fell creatures led by the Minotaur Tyr-Rathman. The horde is large, The Hags more than a match for the Sisters, and Tyr-Rathman himself immensely strong, gifted with weapons of power by the Sorcerer. Blood will be spilt, the fabled Towers rocked, and serpents that nestle in the bosom will strike. Without assistance, Neral will fall. On the plains Corith son of Durgos, and Jalen son of Thurgin travel to Neral to aid 'She Who is Discipline'. They practice their fighting skills on the way. Corith son of Durgos is becoming increasingly deadlier with the blade, his blood lust rising as the tide. Jalen son of Thurgin is finding it difficult to hold his own with the man, becoming more and more disturbed by the day. If his blood lust is not curbed, then Jalen sees only disaster. Meanwhile the Tribes meet and gather on the plains. Their conflict can only be solved in one way - war! Soon a War of the Tribes will break out, and no one will be allowed to sit it out. Meanwhile U'julito, Hierarch of Egrecia, experiences a crisis of faith that will lead him to do the unthinkable. He wishes to run and hide, but that will not be an option open to him. He must decide which side to serve, Kaia or the False One. His choice will send a seismic shift across the playing board, and impact the lives and fortunes of many. In Incartin, the Church Knights headed by their king, move off to battle the evil of the Shan'kar forest. They send in an overwhelming force, determined to root out evil. Yet, the reach of the Sorcerer's arm is long, and his tools many. Evil and death stalks the world. Kings will fall, and kings will rise. The decision made in Marna will begin to reverberate throughout the continent, and only time will tell if it is for ill or good!
