Armies rage across the Free Lands.

The Galdeans, led by Field Marshal Dlorn, defeated the darklings at the Crimson Fields and now head south, for word has come that the Black Imelin has turned his aim toward Meisthelm. With the army of the Hierarchy engaged far to the south, Dlorn and his Galdeans are the only force capable of stopping Imelin.

Elsyn and the others reel from the loss of Aron Kryte. His death in the freezing river has robbed them of the will to go on, but go on they must. Exhausted from constant campaigning, Elsyn leads a small group east, toward the city of Hryast, where they hope to evade Imelin's roving armies long enough to reach the security of Meisthelm. They must protect the Staff of Life at all costs or the war is lost.

Sylin Marth's quest to discover the wizard Elxander has taken him far across the Free Lands. Hunted and harried the entire way, he and his band of dwarves finally come face to face with what he hopes will prove to be their salvation.

Treachery, betrayal, and determination fill the Free Lands. Whoever wins the war, none of the kingdoms will ever be the same again.