The penultimate level of the mighty Riftwar Cycle

Battle rages in Midkemia but behind the chaos there is certainly disquieting proof dark forces at the job.

Jim Dasher’s usually infallible intelligence network has been cleverly dismantled; nowhere is secure. He feels that this world is arriving apart in the seams and is helpless to safeguard his nation.

Calm palace coups are underway in Roldem and Rillanon; and Ruler Gregory from the Isles has yet to produce an heir. In each in regards to a Crown Imperilled kingdom an individual petty noble provides risen from obscurity to threaten the throne.

Lord Hal of Crydee and his great friend Ty Hawkins, champion swordsman from the Masters’ Courtroom, are entrusted with the task of smuggling Princess Stephané and her lady-in-waiting, the lovely but mysterious Female Gabriella, out of Roldem to a location of greater security. But will there be any safe haven to be found?

Meanwhile, Hal’s younger brothers Martin and Brendan are trying to hold the strategic city of Ylith against an onslaught of Keshian Pup Soldiers, and a mysterious drive from beneath the ocean. The Kingdom might lose Crydee and recover; but if Ylith falls, all is normally lost.

An unknown participant seems to orchestrating these conflicts. Can Pug as well as the Conclave of Shadows locate this source before Midkemia is certainly destroyed?