The impossible did happen. Either by the will of higher powers, or by gold and the intrigues of the mysterious Gogans, the exiled prince Aldo Rakan occupied the capital of his ancestors. King Ferdinand Ollar is captured. In captivity is the invincible Roque Alva, who exchanged his freedom for the life of Ferdinand. Sacredly believing in his divine origin, Aldo enthusiastically prepares for the coronation and revives the ancient orders. Richard Oakdell, who has found himself in the service of the Rakan cause, is happy, but Princess Matilda and Robert Epinay, who accepted the marshal's baldric from Aldo's hands, are horrified by how the victory turns out. Silence in the capital is the silence in the center of a tornado. Only winter and the enemy armies hanging over the borders of Taliga prevent the troops who remained loyal to the Ollars from striking the invaders. Only a sense of duty keeps Robert close to Aldo, and time is running out. The piebald mare, the ancient messenger of death, walks in a circle, and this circle gets wider.