Corrupted diarch of Caemeris, Baachelaus, with his gaoler Voloc, breach the world of Arglethium. They are pursued by Assumpta, co-ruler of Caemeris, who has been doomed to an eternal quest toset Baachelaus free.A prism forged in the last days of Caemeris from the tears ofAssumpta is hidden on Arglethium by the custodian Norbu.Lusting to seize control of the power within the prism, Volocpossesses the despot Ranik and sets the Kingdoms of the Middlinglands to war to seek out the sacred tears.Assumpta calls the ancestors of the fi rst tribes of Arglethium, AngeTsaed desert dweller, Gildas Gol exiled warrior, Kado heir to theDrax Empire and Sa-Tuc assassin, to fulfi l a covenant made in thebeginning days with Norbu to protect the prism.Suspicious of the gods, but with no choice as their world spiralstoward annihilation, Ange, Gildas, Sa-Tuc and Kado are drawninto the mysteries of the prism, and an ancient war raging since thedawn of the fi rst stars.