After years as a Rangeras 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 Northapoisoning the royal family in the processaand is holding Willas friend Alyss captive. The situation grows direr when Will uncovers Kerenas 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 Macindawabefore the Scotti can make it their own.

This "New York Times" bestselling series maintains its breathless pace in this newest installment.