‘Victory for the Shadari rebels has come at a terrible cost. Hardship, superstition, and petty feuds poison King Daryan’s young reign, and whole households are vanishing with out a track. Help is normally nowhere found, for his or her Nomas allies have troubles of their personal, and the Mongrel, suffering from the sins of her violent past, has disappeared. While Daryan problems to keep up the peacefulness, Eofar and Rho are race to their northern homeland to plead – or combat – for the Shadar’s independence. But Norland has changed, plus they soon end up embroiled in the court politics of the empire about to implode. In the meantime the Mongrel’s route bears her deep into Norland’s frozen wastes to redeem a guarantee – one which forces her in to the heart from the developing turmoil. As the foundations of the two far-flung countries begin to crack, an enigmatic number watches from a tower room in Ravindal Castle. She is old and a prisoner, but her reach can be lengthy, and her endurance is going to be rewarded….’