Forces collide as Contikiraud rises from Knave to Master Knave and his enemies beyond the Order become desperate to destroy him. Morgus the necromancer deceives a Black Sorcerer Supreme in an attempt to assassinate the youth, then sends two brothers...paying them with treachery, not gold or gems.Golmagug is raised to god status by Master Jenarra in order to hide him from the masses. Baltoroz, High King of the demons, raises his devout priests from the dead to set up his temple in Valthrid. It is a time of proving and of growth. As Con builds his circle of allies, other events take place. Hadeax is gravely wounded when he wages war against the Cyrtian Order. The emperor slowly loses power. the Master of the Dark Ring begins to wonder what his son really is.