Following the orders of the great Emperor Cree of the Tudorian Empire, Lord Commander Gunther and his soldiers have overtaken a neutral piece of land between two members of the Human Alliance. His patience grows thin, day by day, but his trusted Cleric, Lucius Lightbringer continues to calm his soul. To try and trick Gunther into satiating his bloodlust, Governor Slarkin continues to whisper in his ear about the spoils of victory. Unfortunately for him, Lucius will not allow the Lord Commander to fall into his trap.

Off to the west, the Emperor's son, Prince Loren, busily negotiates with the Crown Prince, Mutid Kerim al Aziz, of Harub, on how best to complete their alliance. Mutid is more than happy to join the Empire but he has a request. The only way he can help the Tudorians is to usurp his father as King, and he has some chilling requests for Prince Loren to get him there. And once there, he begins to feel the weight of power on his shoulders.

And while the Emperor's game begins, the Elves, not wishing to be pawns, continue to try and thrive on their own. Though, internal discord between the two sisters, Aewyn, the High Priestess and temporary ruler of Aurelias, and Leila, the trusted commander of their army, threatens to tear them apart from within. The two cannot come to an agreement when they learn that the Tudorian Empire is breaking the peace around them.

The once fragile peace that reigned across the lands begins to break as the pawns of the Emperor's game begin to take their places, and war begins to show its face once more...