Description
Grand-commander Morath is dead, and the fragile peace between the Order of the Plains and their former allies in the northern mountains is close to breaking. The knights of Klinberg, riders of the madriel pride, are preparing themselves for the High-tourney, where the new Command of their Order will be decided, and with it, the future of hostilities. But this year the contest for the Orders' leadership will not be settled in the jousting ring. Four children will play a part in its outcome. Grifford and Tahlia Layne; brutish son and wayward daughter of the Order's finest Pride-commander, Maddock Jonas, a farm-boy who has heard his future told by a voice from the vault-weed, and Dakskansia, an Engineer's daughter, imbued with strength and intellect but not with courage. Their actions will set them on a course that will shape both the future and the past, but before they can do that, they must overcome their enmity towards one another.
Prologue
