Elves are immortal, except death by battle or poison. Yet, despite that fact, Starlyn’s mother is dying, and nobody knows why. Starlyn loves her mother and desperately searches for any way to help her, yet it seems there is little she can do but sit and watch. Even the elven healers and herbalists are stunned and cannot find a way. Other elves turn away from her aid, afraid of a weakness –an illness- in her bloodline, and would rather her mother die than taint the other elves with her weakness. Starlyn’s sister, Arria, refuses to sit and watch as their mother dies and takes more drastic measures to try and save their mother. She dives into the restricted books in the elven library about dark magic. Dark magic has been forbidden for the elves because it is said that even the willpower of an elf cannot prevail against the touch of a dark taint. Arria is no longer concerned of her own welfare and dives heavily into her studies. Strange things begin to happen, and Starlyn ends up learning of her sister’s studies in the dark magic and is forced to confront her. The elven law states that if you begin in the art of forbidden magic that you are forever an outcast from the elven order. Starlyn wishes to reason with her sister that dark magic is not the way. Her love for both her mother and sister leave her torn to either save her mother or her sister, and if at all possible to save them both. However, if she doesn’t make the right choice, it may condemn both of them to death, and leave Starlyn without family, which is the very thing she treasures the most.

After a great victory in the elven city of Sudegam, Searon finds himself at peace where he can finally rest. Or can he? As soon as everything seems to settle down after the battle and they are awaiting the celebration feast of victory; Andron, a human who was presumed dead has returned with ill tidings. He claims to have seen a large force growing of all creatures as if a great attack was being planned. Included in his sights were a strong and growing force of Nacropi, a new species of giant scorpions brought to life by Necromancers. He claims they are preparing for war if there is any chance to survive something must be done right away. Searon has to turn his defensive ideas to the wizard Karceoles, and the new elven archer he just met Anaela. He begins to develop a fondness for Anaela right away, a fondness that isn't shown from even the rest of the elves, because she is an outcast- being the only wood elf in a high elf city. Normally Searon would confide in his good elven friend Starlyn, but she had an important task that she had to leave on in secret. Nobody seems to know where Starlyn went, or what was so important to her that she abandoned them, and her lifelong cause of finding her sister Arria. Meanwhile while she's gone Arria beings to surface once again, finally coming from the shadows to reek havoc on Sudegam. Searon must decide if he can help lead the elves to victory, or if even the new human alliance with the elves won't be enough, and another alliance needs to be formed, a dangerous alliance.