Arathorn Longstride's world is in danger of falling down around him, his half-brother and his half-sister usurp his father's wishes to make him King Of Mārcādiā and Wests�āksnā, and instead they carve the countries up between them. Not content with trying to rob him of everything he has they release the truth about who he was before he came to be Arathorn, namely Rogan Ragisson. The dark elves are returning to their spiritual homeland after it was invaded by a new enemy, and some of those in Scottia take the opportunity to grab as much of their land as quickly as they can, so the Great clearance begins. The sound of rebellion rings out throughout The Shattered Realms as those in power jockey for supremacy. Arathorn seems unable to unite his own family what hope is there for the rest of the land?