The perilous journey to stop the villain Corevors from achieving his end of reforging the Crown of the gods and dominating all of Yahava, continues. The Company of the Eight has recently added two new members, the wise wizard Vallasardys and the veteran mercenary and living legend Ulandier. Yet Alarrus has laid down his life for Yahava, and is no longer with them. By a narrow chance, Port Elsimendris has been saved from the tyrannical wicked overreach of the Kud Empire. But what will happen next? Will it be war? And if so, what is the true cause of it? Can a larger conflict be avoided? Or has war already begun? Meanwhile, Valia, drawn by forces of destiny beyond her control and by her own natural courage and compassion, continues to ride with Alicale's merry band of vigilante outlaws. As they near the border of Validal, Valia's love for Alicale's roving band, especially for Syyrsha, grows, but so does her feeling that more is going on than she can see. The saga of the keys continues.