<p>The Midnight King walks Eltriar again and the Nine Thanes must unite to defeat him.</p><p>Or so Valentin Gardyner claims.</p><p>Realta Haar knows better than to fall for Val's lies. She Serena and Chinasa have fled south avoiding the war but trouble follows them around every corner. And a strange young woman begins making similar claims.</p><p>Meanwhile in Teyrnas Queen Isla and the Scholar Council struggle to maintain order turning the Academy into a new capital while five armies surround them closing in for the kill.</p><p>And Lok and Charity uncover secrets that threaten to destroy Teyrnas from within.</p>