'Xander,' I said, 'this isn't fair . . . ' 'Of course not,' he said softly. 'This is war.' The defeat of Cades in the Northern Invasion brought two years of peace to the Rhea Lands, but, on the anniversary of his death, the threat of war returns with an assault on Liane Palace, Elhian's capture, and the mysterious darkening of Queen Alexia's personality. The Zalem cult behind Cades has woken to revenge his death and revive his plans to conquer Targe . . . and to kill the A'zyon Warrior. While Darj prepares the kingdom for battle, Adaliah must solve the riddles of ancient prophecies, lead the search for powerful artifacts, and once again take up her swords in a race to save her family and her kingdom from darkness.