As the clouds of war gather and the final battle for Midkemia begins, the Kesh's invading hordes descend upon the Kingdom, and the magician Pug must harness his magic and wisdom to save them all from a new threat that could destroy the alliance.

The Kingdom is plagued by rumour and instability. Kingdom spies in Kesh have been disappearing - either murdered, or turned to the enemy side. Information has become scant and unreliable; but one thing appears clear. Dark forces are on the move! Since Pug and the Conclave of Shadows enforced peace after the last Keshian invasion, the Empire has offered no threat. But now factions are rising and Jim Dasher reports mobilizations of large forces in the...

"For centuries, the five great kingdoms of Andalane have coexisted peacefully. Then, Steveren Langene, King of Ithrace, known as "Firemane" for his brilliant head of red hair, is betrayed by his counterparts, and a bitter war engulfs the world. Ithrace, the Kingdom of Flames, is destroyed by battle, ending an ancient balance of power. As a Free Lord of Osean, Daylon Dumarch owes allegiance to no king, but knows it is unwise to betray any of them....