The last Aturan King is dying. Control of his weakening power over sa and ka is a lure; the Emperor stirs in his Forbidden City; in the Seared Lands, Eth bring secret death. Eight men and women take their first steps to war, unaware that they will face a greater threat; at the heart of the world, the Dragon stirs. A warrior will become Queen, a Queen will become a monster, and a boy plays his bird-skull flute to keep the shadows of death at bay.