'After surviving battle and sorcery, the people of Kydan are divided among themselves and face civil war. Strategos Galys Valera and her allies must heal divisions and forge a united city in time to face the greatest threat of all, a rogue Kevleren prince bent on bloody revenge.
'Meanwhile, the Hamilayan empire itself faces a terrible conflagration as its empress, Lerena, pursues her destiny to become history's most powerful Wielder of the Sefid, the great well of magical power that underlies all creation. Even nations must fall before her ambition. (From the publisher's website.)