The half-brothers Arithon and Lysaer have defeated the Mistwraith and dispersed the fogs that smothered Athera's skies. But their victory comes at a high price: the Mistwraith has set them at odds under a powerful curse of vengeance.

Lysaer, bred to rule with majestic charisma, and wielding the power of light, raises a kingdom from ashes, and an army to found a new order. He has sworn to bring down his half-brother, the man now called Master of Shadow. Arithon is mage-trained: his heart's passion is music, not war. Driven on the run, he must use every wile at his command as he seeks to defy the forces that inexorably propel him towards an armed confrontation.