WAR HAS COMEIt has been smoldering for years, but now the conflict between Balaia's four colleges of magic has finally blazed into furious life. Xeyesk, the Dark College, determined to impose its rule, now faces an alliance of Lystern and Dordover. Julatsa is crippled, still struggling to remake its link to Balaia's flow of Mana. and so the armies mass.Caught in the flames of war are The Raven. Three of the legendary mercenary band are dead. One of them struggles with a burgeoning power that could herald a new world—and destroy the old. The survivors will keep their promises to the lost friends, to the enslaved Protectors, and to the dragon, Sha-Kaan. To Balaia.The Raven will keep the faith. They will fight and they will triumph. It's what they do.