A secret agent of the Conclave of Shadows, a powerful magician and skilled swordsman Cogwin Yastrins, once known as the Claw of the Silver Hawk, receives a new task: to enter the service of Duke Caspar Olasco and help the sorcerers destroy one of this ruler's confidants - the dangerous and evil sorcerer Leso Varen , trying to create a new Stone of Life and with its help open the Star Gate to the enemies of Midkedmia. Kogvin Yastrins also has his own goal: to take revenge on Caspar Olasco for the death of the Orosini tribe, because Kog’s relatives were destroyed on the orders of the Duke. In the decisive battle with the forces of evil, he can only count on the knowledge and experience gained at the Academy of Magicians, where the great Pag himself was his mentor.