They were in power, and now they are refugees. Galina and Gethen are the last to fight against the evil that has engulfed Quoregna. The united Nalvika and Ursinum are marching against their eastern neighbors in huge numbers. Residents are killed or kidnapped, their belongings confiscated. Monsters steal the souls of children to enhance King Waldram's necromancy, and mages and witches are seduced by the dark magic that fuels his madness. Besera is about to collapse, and Or Khali is suffering from siege. And only distant Teleyansk is free from the chaos of war. Enemies do not stop hunting them, but Gethen and Galina must go to the distant parts of Quoregna in search of allies. Will they be able to get help from strangers, or will the fear of Waldram's united army force the warrior and mage to take a more dangerous road to find a way to fight his tyranny?