The depths of winter did not stop the civil war tormenting Kurald Galayn; Urusander's legion is preparing to march on the capital. The forces of his opponents were scattered after Chief Anomander went in search of Andarist's brother. The last of the brothers, Silhas Ruin, rules in place of Anomander, trying to rally the troops of the noble families and restore the Khast Legion in the south, but his time is quickly running out. The officers under the leadership of Hun Raal want Consort Draconus to be expelled and Veta Urusander, lost in dreams of justice, to take his place on the throne next to the living goddess. But such an alliance will not be a simple policy, for the enemies of the Mother of Darkness have laid claim to their own magical power - the priestess Sintara, expelled from Harkenas, creates a cult of Light in response to the children of Darkness. Another army has gathered in the west, seeking battle against a formless enemy in a place no one can find. The call of Hood, distraught with grief, was heard; the long-abandoned city of Omtoze Fellac became the home of a motley gathering. From the south came the Dog Runners and the Dzhelek hunters. After marooning the west coast, the blue-skinned aliens arrived to offer Hood their swords. And from the north, from the mountain strongholds and distant valleys, the Toblakai come day and night, determined to devote themselves to the impossible war of Hud. Soon the weapon will shine, and Death itself will become the enemy. Under the chaos of events, magic flows, capturing the kingdom and other worlds hidden behind the veils. Uncontrolled, mysterious and savage, the power of K'rul's blood flows freely and passionately. Forces, ancient and new, gather at its scent, looking for vulnerable spots and sources of magic. And everyone is out for blood. Realizing the terrible risk of his gift, the weakened, dying K'rul leaves, having found himself a single guardian, in search of a way to bring order to the newborn magic - alas, he chooses dubious allies. In the name of order, K'rul seeks the help of his sworn enemies.