Long recovered from your ravages of the Riftwar, the land and people from the kingdom of the Isles thrive. Nicholas, the youngest boy of Prince Arutha, is certainly smart and gifted but greatly inexperienced. In hopes of hardening him, his father transmits him and his irreverent squire, Harry, to live at Rustic Castle Crydee to learn of existence beyond the halls of privilege. But within weeks of Nicholas and Harry’s entrance, Crydee is definitely viciously attacked by unknown assailants, leading to murder, massive devastation, and the abduction of two youthful noblewomen. The raiders have come from a pirate haven and are no common foe … but an foe linked to dark magical forces that threaten the lands Nicholas will someday rule — if he survives.