A king was born to rise. Istus, prince of the fallen southern kingdom, has withstood much since his capture in Byriad. He has seen death—and dealt it. Now he is faced with more than the loss of loved-ones. If he does not stand, the tyrant king, Caresuad, will seize Ala’tona and never yield. The force of allies stationed on The Bloody Mountain must move to the Castle Corin where mercenaries may be willing to aid their cause. But Caresuad knows their every move. Ambushes continually harass them. Their troops will never make it down the mountain in time to reach the mercenaries. From the highest peak to the underground depths, they will try only to survive, and all hope will lie on the Princess Taria to keep the mercenary soldiers from departing Ala’tona’s shores. Yet even in Caresuad’s lingering shadow, another force is at play—something more sinister—something that can help destroy Ala’tona or help save it.