Imprisoned in the Orinovan priori labs, Ainreth undergoes torturous treatments daily in an attempt to crack the code to lightweaver creation. Things seem hopeless, until unlikely allies join his side to help him. Meanwhile back home in Lys-Akkaria, Mhalyn works with the rebels to come up with a rescue plan to get Fennrin out of Daryan's clutches and ensure he permanently loses his power over the country. With the ongoing war still a looming threat, powerful tyrranical leaders on both sides who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets and positions, and their most powerful az-ari indisposed in enemy territory, everything is stacked against them. Can they come up with a plan to fix this catastrophe before it's too late for everyone?