For the first time in nearly twenty years, Elizabeth Moon returns to
the thrilling realm of her superb Deed of Paksenarrion trilogy.
Thanks to Paks's courage, the long-vanished heir to the half-elven
kingdom of Lyonya has been revealed as Kieri Phelan, a formidable
mercenary who earned a title--and enemies--in the neighboring kingdom of
Tsaia, where Prince Mikeli suddenly faces the threat of a coup. Acting
swiftly, Mikeli strikes at the powerful family behind the attack: the
Verrakaien, magelords steeped in death and evil. Mikeli's survival--and
that of Tsaia--depend on the only Verrakai whose magery is not tainted
with innocent blood. Two kings stand at a pivotal point in the history
of their worlds. For dark forces are gathering against them, knit in a
secret conspiracy more sinister and far more ancient than they can
imagine.