In a world once dominated by five great kingdoms, the ruthless King Lodavico of Sandura has executed the royal family of Ithrace, leaving only whispers of a surviving heir. This child, rumored to have escaped during the chaos, is believed to be hidden by the Quelli Nacosti, a secret society skilled in espionage. Fearing his potential for revenge, the remaining four kings have placed a hefty bounty on his head. In the village of Oncon, Declan, an apprentice blacksmith, is mastering the art of creating the legendary king's steel. Nestled in the neutral Covenant, Oncon has enjoyed peace—until slavers invade, seeking to capture young men for Sandura's army. Declan must flee to deliver his invaluable knowledge to Baron Daylon Dumarch of Marquensas, the only hope against Lodavico and his alliance with the fanatical Church of the One, which is spreading its extreme beliefs through violence. Meanwhile, on the island of Coaltachin, three young trainees of the Quelli Nacosti—Donte, Hava, and Hatu—are honing their skills in assassination and subterfuge, each grappling with their own challenges and destinies as the world around them spirals into turmoil.
