He shall be Allon’s greatest king; of such a heritage as to rule Guardian and mortal alike – so says Prophecy of the man to succeed Ellis. He decides upon Prince Sullivan of Gorham to wed his heir, Ellan, unaware that Sullivan’s mother is an old enemy. Their arrival allows Ellan’s own ambition to blossom. The royal family and Guardians become impacted by dark machinations threatening a coup. Determined to save her father, Tristine meets two unlike allies: a blacksmith and crippled beggar. But how can they help? And what about the Great King?