The North Sea is calm once again, but for Wes Cervos and his friends, victory is tainted with darkness. Bandits continue to roam Kaveryth, the elves are shoring up their strength, and control of the Four Kingdoms is slipping away into anarchy. Despite the chaos that surrounds them, Wes knows that they can't simply wait around for the next attack. They need to find answers if they are going to put a stop to this war before it begins. Traveling to his old home in Stronghollow with the help of Celesyria, Kessara, and Aelrie, he seeks the truth from an old enemy, but fears that it may already be too late. Meanwhile, far off in the deserts of Boneshire, Alder must find a lost queen and keep her safe, but an unforeseen menace stands in the way of his plans. Kessara risks everything she cares about for an impossible love, Aelrie fears that she will never break free of the evils of her past, and as the demands of the High One become more burdensome, their faith is tested like never before. When the path ahead is shrouded in shadow, who will have the courage to keep moving forward?