Winter has arrived in Harvestglade alongside war. Prince Makoa seeks to defend his lands against the Estorian invaders yet struggles with his own grief and the daunting magnitude of the problem. The Estorians field an army of men, monsters, and most horrifying of all — politicians, necessitating a creative approach to defense.
Meanwhile, Underqueen Avina continues her dance between identities. The bond that connects her to her esper, Petra, has reached a breaking point. Suffering such perspective swaps at the most inconvenient times, occasionally in dizzying succession, she has no choice but to seek out the sorcerer Hazafallius for a dangerous and untested solution.