A man held in thrall by magic and a woman’s thirst for power. A woman for whom avarice and rule are as vital for life as breath. He strives for freedom, she for domination. Cymbra Laraklaea would rule the city of Tanthalas through manipulation of the great merchant houses and covert piracy. Captain Kefril Longbright and the crew of the corsair, Scourge, are her secret and unwilling weapons. The corsair was named after the former captain’s nine-thonged lash, wrought of the flesh and sinew of Dragons. Cymbra claimed the scourge, not realizing that it instills draconic avarice and thirst for power in its wielder. A stroke of that lash binds the victim to the wielder’s will. Cymbra claimed the scourge, as well as Kefril, whom she wields as deftly as the enchanted weapon that never leaves her side.