At the Beginning of Days, the Four Realms of Shinar'eth were governed by the Mages, who weilded the Elements of Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire to transform it into a beautiful paradise. But after a time, Leythron the Fire Mage rebelled, bringing chaos into the world. As punishment, the Creator, Ilos, banished Leythron and the Fourth Realm to Oblivion.Over three hundred years ago, Argilad, one of the three remaining realms of Shinar'eth, was plagued with a series of mysterious deaths. Six sovereigns in a row were found dead in their chambers without a mark on them and no sign of a struggle. Roscoe Dun Mara, the Earth Mage who governs Argilad, suspected the worst, that the End of Days was upon them and Leythron was about to return to Shinar'eth to take it over and destroy it. In an effort to stop him, Roscoe created a magical crystal staff called "The Heart of Dragons," which, along with nine Dragon's Eyes, picks the next sovereign of Argilad in the Choosing.For over three hundred years, Roscoe's plan has worked and there has been no threat whatsoever from Leythron, until now. Three years before the next Choosing is to take place, Empress Gwendlon is found dead without a mark on her and no sign of a struggle. Now Roscoe must assemble the Watchers for another Choosing. That would be simple if not for the fact that some of the Dragon's Eyes, and thus the Watchers, are missing. This will be a Choosing like none they've ever experienced before, and for which none of them are prepared. With the help of his best (and only) friend, Captain-General Atley Starnes, Roscoe must find all nine Watchers and lead them on a perilous journey, battling rough terrain, deadly magic spells, and the ghosts of their pasts that threaten to destroy them, in an effort to save Argilad.