An attempt was made on the eldest son of Prince Arutha of Krondor. But it is he who will succeed King Liam on the throne and become the ruler of the Kingdom of the Islands. The investigation showed that the would-be killer arrived from the neighboring Empire of the Great Kesh. Is there really a conspiracy brewing in the Empire and the Kingdom is facing the threat of a new war? Despite what happened, the young heirs of Arutha, brothers Bourric and Erland, go to the court of Empress Kesha as ambassadors of the Western Lands. The brothers face severe trials - kidnapping and long separation, palace coups and slave labor, open clashes and secret intrigues... However, the day will come when the two princes of the blood will meet again...