Artemio Volpe has been crowned king of Espher, restoring his ancient line to power—and inheriting the worst crisis the kingdom has ever faced.

The Arazi Dragon Lords descend from the north. With flame and blade, they will purge all in their path to see the shadebound witch Orsina destroyed and their prophecies fulfilled. From the south march all the armies of the God-Emperor of Agrant, legions of soldiers backed by the unfathomable power of the living god himself.

Between them, at the point where hammer and anvil will meet, stands Artemio, his twin sister, an exiled Arazi prince, and a peasant girl with all the world's dead at her command.

Long live the king.