War comes for the Tunulman Republic when a united force of Veltoi Tribes march south to halt the slow march of their imperial neighbor. Acco, a warrior of the Veltoi, seeks glory on the front lines while seeking vengeance for the brother he saw killed when he was only nine. In Tunulm, Diana and Lucius both seek advancement, and both see opportunity in the war's chaos. Jubar, a legionnaire, is sent east to save a Magus of the Republic. And Yatossa, a servant of the Archmagus of Xerxia looks into the heart of Numenlil's greatest secret. Acco's siblings, Coria and Tasco, seek to keep the Kenoe safe through a war with another tribe.