With the High King dead and the future of the Ten Kingdoms at stake, the companions have split into two groups. Jada's group is bound for Waterfall in the north, with the intention of removing the usurper Tarel Andrassis from her throne. Carlan's group flies south to Slithering, there to hopefully find an ally in the slyph king. In both directions wait dangers neither group will see coming. Dangers of the flesh and dangers of the heart. In the end, whether the war for the Ten Kingdoms is won or lost, nothing can ever be the same again.