In Itaskia: the Greyfellen lords send murderous sorcery against Kavelin. In Hammad al Nakir: the Monster-maker of the Great Wars returns from the dead. In Shinsan: invading armies rip across the Mountains of M'Hand. In the east: an ancient horror threatens the world.

But in Kavelin, King Bragi Ragnrson toys with destiny - and disaster. Rejecting the advice of the wizard Varthlokkur and spymaster Michael Trebilcock, Bragi joins Chatelain Mist's coup against the Dread Empire, and Lady Yasmid's schemes to take the Poeacock Throne. Risking his power, friendships, dreams, Ragnarson dangles the fate of his nation in the jaws of his foes, refusing to see that his one true enemy may be...

Himself.