Fyorlund has fallen. The City of Vakloss has felt the terrifying Power that lies behind the evil Lord Dan-Tor and King Rgoric lies dead, murdered by Dan-Tor who is now master of Fyorlund and ready to unleash the Dark Lord Sumeral's dread power over all the lands. Yet Dan-Tor has been grievously wounded by Hawklan's arrow, and, against impossible odds, not all hope has been swallowed by the Darkness. Sylvriss, Rgoric's Queen, has escaped the blighted City to rally the Lords in Exile. In peaceful Orthlund the arts of war are painfully relearned. In the East, ancient foes of Sumeral are at last remembering their vows. All look to the healer Hawklan for leadership. But he has lain in a coma since his confrontation with Dan-Tor, walking in a world from which none can call him back. And in the mountains an ancient race stirs, but its allegiance is as yet unknown...