The dark forces of Drakfort have seized Valhadria--and it's up to the few students who remain free to retake it. But Drakfort's iron grip extends far beyond the floating islands of Valhadria. With the help of the Grand Council, the entire realm is now under their thumb. Basch and his friends need to tread carefully as they seek out the tools--the magics--that will turn the fight against Drakfort in their favor. Their search will take them to the strangest corner of the realm--the Shadowlands. There, Basch and his friends seek out an ancient, and dangerous, power. A power that threatens to change the fate of the realm--for better, or for worse. The power to wield the Draconic Eclipse lies at the heart of the Shadowlands, and Basch must seize it before the Onyx Rider does--before Lucius Blackblade plunges the entire realm into darkness.