Trouble is brewing in the kingdoms of the Tarnished Crown.A fearsome army sweeps into the Duchy of Clemen, subduing all opposition.Meanwhile Liam, the boy who vowed to reclaim his father´s stolen throne, is in an unlikely allegiance with his bitterest enemy - his cousin Roric. Angry and confused, he must plan his next move.In the Principality of Cassinia, the duke´s daughter Catrain will do what she can to support Roric as he seeks to save embattled Clemen. But kept prisoner by her unwanted council, and being guided by the dark witch Izusa, Catrain is unsure who to trust, how long she must wait to claim her royal birthright . . . and how best she can help mad prince Gael, who schemes to snatch the crown his regents would deny him.As Cassinia´s duchies balance on the edge of a blade, even one false step is sure to draw blood . . .Discover the thrilling new epic fantasy novel set in the world of the Tarnished Crown.