Upon assuming his new role as Spanbrook's chief mage, Khaldun discovers an ancient artifact that Nyro, the great necromancer herself, left behind. The object is still linked to her, and through it, she communicates with Khaldun, enticing him to liberate her. Syllith soon learns that Nyro is behind Fosland's renewed military aggression, and that there's a traitor at the university. Before long, all of northern Maeda is dragged into war, but is it only a diversion, providing the ancient evil an opportunity to escape?