In the world of Recluce, powerful mages can wield two kinds of magic - the white of Chaos or the black of Order. Beltur, however, has talents not seen in hundreds of years that blend both magics. On the run from a power-hungry white mage, Beltur is taken in by Order mages, who set him on the path to discover and hone his own unique gifts and in the process find a home. However, when the white mage he fled attempts to invade his newly adopted city, Beltur must hope his new-found power will be enough to save them all.