Old grudges between the neighbouring lands of Terbat and Kasgaria erupt into open warfare, and soon afterwards foreign invasion threatens the very existence of Terbat, before home-grown tyranny robs the people of their freedom.
Caught up in these momentous events, young Tahek finds himself thrust into a perilous voyage of growth and self-discovery, as hidden truths are revealedabout his country and about his own identity. Friendship, love, death and loss are the milestones of his journeywith deceit and betrayal proving as dangerous as sword and spear.