Within the Eastern Empire, Duke Kordas Valdemar rules a tiny, bucolic Duchy that focuses mostly on horse breeding. Kordas has lived his life looking over his shoulder. Under the direction of the Emperor, mages have begun to harness the power of dark magics. But then one of the Duchy's mages has a breakthrough, and discovers a way to place their people beyond the Emperor's reach. But time is running out, and Kordas has been summoned to the Emperor's Court