Publisher's Synopsis
The Charisian Empire, born in war, has always known it must fight for its very survival. What most of its subjects donÆt know even now, however, is how much more itÆs fighting for. Emperor Cayleb, Empress Sharleyan, Merlin Athrawes, and their innermost circle of most trusted advisers do know. And because they do, they know the penalty if they lose will be far worse than their own deaths and the destruction of all they know and love.