Donan had no family, no home, no food. Until the Order of the Black Falcon takes him in, and trains him as a spy and assassin. Now his future, his duty, is to save the kingdom from the growing threat of a war over the throne. An attempt on his life by his own guild proves that no one can be trusted. Being branded a traitor proves that he is too close to the truth. Betrayed and bitter, Donan is determined to expose the real traitor, but, hunted and alone, it's a race against time. Until a surprise visit by the last wizard of the outlawed High Council gives Donan one last, desperate chance to outmaneuver those trying to kill him. But to do it, he must appear to become the traitor he's accused of being.