Richard C. Innes

Goralon has captured the Floating Fortress of Farad'ahar that protected the border and has invaded the eastern lands of the Kastrum Imperium. As the Goralonian hordes push into the Empire, Hoyle and Celia fight to stay ahead of the flood of soldiers. Scrambling, they each Choose a different path to try and make a difference as town after town is destroyed by the invading army.
The Dar'Shilaar are trying to come to terms with the recent attack and murder of their leader for the last several decades, and adjust to the new leader in Marisha'ilea, while she tries to understand the implications of the revelations shown to her by the Staff of Everilon.
Meanwhile, dark forces move in the background as the warlock Kartem begins to manipulate the pieces in the game he is playing; a game in which he unknowingly is also just a piece; a game that could consume the whole world.