Synopsis: Fires return. Empires burn. James Culdaine and the surviving folk of Mal Hallow have spent the winter sheltered in the haunted castle of Kallahorn. When a dwindling food supply and the looming threat of siege forces them to leave, James struggles to keep his family's kingdom from breaking and begins to question his place in the world. Deep in the mountains of the Fells, Etta struggles to find the peace she has promised to her young grandson. But when she is forced to take help from a mysterious person from her past, Etta finds herself deep in the tangles of ancient prophecy and at odds with everything she has ever believed in. Meanwhile, a prophet of Karaat, and the growing army at his back, make their way through the Behruvian desert to exterminate all who don't bow to His name, while a young prince of Hest tries to prepare for their coming amidst a civil war and the growing influence of a baleful spirit that has possessed him. An ancient echo of war has returned and the gods are silent. Welcome back to Ardura.