As the elves of the southern kindred retreat to the city of Callenspire, the halflings of Ej, led by Aeron Cadwallader, come to their aid. But will even his strategic genius be able to counter a foe whose might is enough to humble one of the greatest empires in the world? Or will Aeron and his allies succumb to enemies without - as well as within? The invasion of Vieshlar has begun. As the elves of the southern kindred retreat to the city of Callenspire, the halflings of Ej, led by Aeron Cadwallader, come to their aid. But will even his strategic genius be able to counter a foe whose might is enough to humble one of the greatest empires in the world? Or will Aeron and his allies succumb to enemies without - as well as within? Elsewhere, though the amphibious tribes of the riverguard stir to readiness deep in the humid jungles, their allies, the Neriticans, remain strangely silent. Can the gillkin mage, Axel Tricklebrook, rouse the armies of Medu'Syth to war against an invader who threatens all the folk of Mantica - or are his efforts doomed to failure? For if not, the fate of Vieshlar - and the rest of Mantica - is surely sealed.