Synopsis: The woes are piling up for the brand new King Ghyll. Giant wolves and monstrous birds terrorize the outer provinces of his kingdom and the local authorities dump these problems in their ruler's lap. The King of the Nhael suspects Ghyll to hold Prince Torril prisoner and sends a delegation to demand the prince. But Ghyll can't produce Torril, for his friend has disappeared. And not only in Rhidauna there are problems. Qaunshun, a nearby city-state in the Desert of Jewels, sends Ghyll a cry for help he can't ignore. And to top all has somebody murdered the Landscommander of the fiercest of the three Ordelanden. If Ghyll fails to calm down the furious order knights, all will be embroiled in a bloody fratricidal war. Meanwhile at home, Ghyll 's young wife Kerianna is about to give birth, and the King has on his love promised to be present. And what is the dark secret Zethir, Ghyll's personal spy, carrying with him?