THE SHINING COURT IS RISING The Lord of the Hells has damaged the barriers between the ancient wilderness and the world of man, and that wilderness has begun to seep into mortal lands. His war to rule the entirety of the mortal world has begun. ONE KINGDOM STANDS AGAINST THE FALL OF THE WEST The kingdom of Breodanir is in turmoil. Even the merchant roads in the heart of Breodanir can become wild, unknown places between one step and the next; some have walked those roads, never to return. Now, more than ever, Breodanir has need of Hunter Lords as symbols of strength and stability. Stephen of Maubreche and his huntbrother Nenyane have been summoned in disgrace to the King’s City. They, and other hunters who have rejected Hunter oaths, are to be schooled in the necessity of the oaths they’ve rejected. If only it were that simple. The problem students soon find themselves tested against the forces of the wilderness, the shadows of demons—and even each other. If they fail these tests, Breodanir will fall—and the entirety of the West will become the Lord of the Hells’ domain.

THE WILDERNESS IS WAKING Stephen has never left the kingdom of his birth. But the possible cure for his huntbrother’s shattered memories cannot be found in Breodanir. It might be found in the distant South. If Nenyane’s road leads to the South, Stephen will follow. The lord of the golden fox wishes to speak with Stephen before he travels South. She dwells in the heart of the empire, home to Meralonne APhaniel and Kallandras of Senniel, and it is through Averalaan that safe passage to the Dominion of Annagar can be found. The road to the empire passes through towns that have existed for longer than Breodanir the Free Towns. The Free Towns have never fallen, although they are possessed of no armies, no walls. Stephen and his party arrive in Hansleigh to festivities and carnival performers in the the circus is coming to town. Theirs is a command performance. Every living person in the town is expected to attend, as if attendance is a matter of life and death. It is. To survive, the hunters must find a missing person before the circus—and all of the townspeople—are lost forever to the forces of the Lord of the Hells.