A Kingdom Besieged

For years following the terrible Serpentwar, the Empire of Great Kesh remained peaceful, but now dark clouds of conflict gather once more. Rumors abound from the Kingdom's far western borders of spies missing, murdered, and turned. Powerful legions from the Keshian Confederacy are being mobilized, and an attack is all but certain. As his legendary ancestor Prince Arutha did, Martin conDoin, middle son of the Duke of Crydee, must defend the lands against the invaders. But Arutha commanded a mighty army. Martin has only old men and young boys. Pug, Midkemia's most powerful magician, fears what is in the wind, for he senses an encroaching darkness whose growing power surely spells his world's end. And soon the Kingdom's enchanted defender will find himself questioning everything he's ever held true and dear . . . including the loyalty and desires of his beloved son, Magnus.