There is something peculiar about Morten and the people who called this place home. Each of the six tribes is protected by their own arcane religion and ordained gift. A threat from overseas threatens to swallow Morten whole. When the Xanthari tribe loses one of their elite commanders, Xianni, to the enemy, their foundations are shaken as they are forced to form an unlikely alliance with the Dahlia tribe to protect themselves from the impending threat of war. Despite their extensive history of odium and reprisal the forces are compelled to unite. Xander, a high ranking official of the Xanthari clan and Xianni's lover, must overcome his grief and lead the Xantharis alongside Xana, Xianni's best friend, who fills her boots in more than one way. Betrayal and adultery shake the foundations of the alliance and the commanders of both tribes find themselves each fighting their own battle. A Xanthari relic - four pieces of parchment - become the object of pursuit of the allies and enemies alike as they fight to the death.