Synopsis: Near death from the wound received at Joyhinia’s hand, Brak makes a deal with Death to save R’shiel as Tarja and the Defenders with their unexpected Hythrun ally, Damin Wolfblade, move north to defend Medalon from the Kariens. In faraway Fardohnya, an alliance is made with Karien, sealed by the marriage of Princess Adrina to Prince Cratyn of Karien, setting in motion a chain of events that will affect the future of every nation on the continent... In the meantime, R’shiel returns to the Citadel to confront the Sisters of the Blade. Before she is free of them she must face her nemisis and somehow find the strength to deny a god.