The Glass Treaty is broken, and the Kvar army continues its advance towards the Southern Reach. Barrick Eddon continues his journey through the twilight lands, trying to stop further bloodshed. His sister Bryony finds herself searching for allies in the fight against the usurper in the abyss of the palace intrigues of Sian. Meanwhile, the autark, in the company of King Olin, travels to the Kingdoms of the Reaches in order to subjugate the power of the sleeping gods.