On the throne of the Empire is Philip Tagare, a weak and stupid ruler, unable to cope with both his passions and the claims of his courtiers. Artsia would have long ago been engulfed in civil war if not for his brother, Alexander Estre, a little hunchback who took responsibility for the fate of the country. “Loyalty obliges” is his motto, and therefore, without claiming the throne, the last of the direct descendants of the Arroi keeps Artia, and with it the whole of Tarra, from disaster. But the time spoken of in the Prophecy is inevitable. The dark magic of the orders intensifies, betrayals are committed, and the best and closest are transferred to the camp of enemies. And Estelle Oscora is ready to rise above the horizon.