The Boundary. The greatest feat of magic in the history of Madryn. An impenetrable barrier raised centuries ago to imprison the Darklord Lorthas and bring an end to the long and bloody MageWar. But the Boundary has been breached, and the Darklord's forces have resumed their assault. The Tachan Empire has risen from the ashes of its defeat and is poised to conquer much of Madryn, Corsan Raiders push farther onto Alrendria soil with every passing day, and the Black Fleet scourges the coast. In Kaper, King Mathis of Alrendria fights to maintain the peace despite the constant political maneuvering and racial tensions threatening his hastily-assembled alliance. The Mage Assembly - the only force capable of countering Lorthas' ShadowMagi - remains uncommitted to the fight, and flagging morale on the western front may force Mathis to send his own son, the charismatic Prince Martyn, out to restore the Guardsmen's faith. But a danger far greater than Corsans lurks within dagger's reach of the young prince. Far to the north, in the icy fortress of Dranakohr, Jeran Odara fights a private war. Denied access to his magical Gift and enslaved by the Darklord, Jeran must decide which is more important: his duty to Alrendria or his obligation to the people he loves.