The war draws nearer and Cole Dralliw finds herself placed under even more pressure. From the mounting tensions between the elves and the humans, to learning strategy for battle. And worst of all (in her opinion), she has to use a lot of numbers.

Betrayal, kidnappings and the murder of loved ones distract her from her training, granting her foe even more of an upper hand.

Can she bring closure once and for all to the disagreements between her and the persistent Brutus Bothwell?