Defying the Kroeten is the best way to court certain death. Yet Togan, the Kroeten's youngest child, has done just that by daring to flee from his father's vengeful control. However, escaping from himself proves to be a more daunting task as Togan comes to understand that fear of his magical heritage and fear of his kind precedes him. In the midst of his enemies, Togan finds that even the gods are wary of his presence. In Dinota, Captain Jisra and her allies, including her two sisters in arms and the Mage Dythan, find themselves under siege from within. The enemy is converging around them, and even their home provides no guarantee of safety.