The shadows are Gathering. The kalidesh ik'kolotor has come, when the Hesta'kan'ix must convince the Kolotor'ix of their worth as their ranks are stripped, meaning anyone can rise... and anyone can fall. While Blagdon prepares Ratsbayne to present as a formidable Stormrider before the Kolotor'ix , the leader of the ro 'Shadon harbors his own scheme that will shape the future of Hasta'kan ik'Blagdon and the ro 'Shadon. Lenaka resides with her uncle, the renowned bard Kil'lik'Draven, in the lands of Exonesis. Her days are spent navigating the complexities of caring for the aging dawnwarrior and keeping him out of trouble. The horrors witnessed in the Dragonlands have sown discord among the people, leaving Lenaka constantly caught between the conflicting factions. The situation escalates when the death of a religious leader plunges the land into further chaos. Apollo's focus waivers as he is tormented by his role in the executions in Andears. In an effort to help him regain clarity, Mykel assigns him a mission to locate Clep. Joined by an escort of Shadon in disguise, they navigate through a territory where humans are hunted for sport. Unbeknownst to Apollo, one of his companions carries a secret directive from the Kolotor'ix . Should the true purpose of their journey to Exonesis be uncovered, they face the peril of becoming trapped with no hope of escape.