War has come to Novania as brothers fight brother for control of the throne. Colin is an unyielding and ruthless ruler without remorse for the atrocities he has committed. He has disowned his half-brother, for Andrew is dragon-kind. He has exiled Alexander for bearing the Mark of the Magi. He forced Thomas to flee under vague threats of assassination.

Now his brothers have gathered allies in order to oppose him. Oppressed Novanians have rallied to their cause, the Corodan have gathered, and even magi from the Southlands have offered their unique talents in the fight. The kingdom burns and the blood of thousands is spilled.

Under Colin's command is a man as ruthless and cold as his king: Robert Claybourne, whose sole motivation is to annihilate the magi - and any who choose to support them. After seeing the power Andrew is capable of, Claybourne makes it his secondary objective to slay the last of the dragon-kind as well.