The War of Vengeance has begun; the Rahain have invaded the Empire, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Keir Holdfast, elder son of Daphne and Killop, is always in trouble. Already an accomplished vision mage at 16, his life is turned upside down with the news that he also shares the same powers as his aunt, the infamous fire mage who brought down the old empire. Can he learn how to harness his powers in service of the new empire, or will his arrogance lead to his downfall? Hundreds of miles from the fighting, within the depths of the Sanang forest, a visitor arrives with a message for a family of hedgewitches; a message that will transform their lives, and change the destiny of the Magelands forever.