Gbahn and Archipelago - a seafaring world locked in conflicts between magic and war, faith and power, tradition and change, sea and desert. The island nations of the Archipelago build warships with scarce wood and forbid the use of magic as cheating. But when a threat comes from the south and the desert land of Gbahn, they must unite forces - and people from very different worlds will be brought together to face secret struggles as terrible as any battle. Demmina unwillingly finds herself at the center of the Archipelago's wars, both public and secret, although she only wants to find out what happened to her exiled cousin Loriene. But she will be drawn ever deeper into the intrigue by Orwyn, a young magician with dark motives of his own and the power to tear the world apart. Tomas has no fear of magicians, and as the only officer on his ship who does not, his leadership is invaluable in the coming war. But he may not be strong enough to lead. His heart is swept away by a hopeless infatuation with Loriene, even as his mind is tormented by waves of passion and misery that could finally overcome him. And Loriene carries the burden of a terrible legacy, even as she becomes the only one who can help Orwyn as they move closer to war with Gbahn.