After years as a Ranger�'s apprentice, Will is now the protector of his first fief. Not long into his service, everything that can go wrong does: Keren, a renegade knight, has taken over Castle Macindaw, a strategic gateway to the North���oisoning the royal family in the process���nd is holding Will�'s friend Alyss captive. The situation grows direr when Will uncovers Keren�'s secret alliance with the Scotti, who have plans to plunder Araluen. Time is of the essence, and Will must recruit a motley crew to rescue Alyss and reclaim Castle Macindaw���efore the Scotti can make it their own.
This New York Times bestselling series maintains its breathless pace in this newest installment.