Karl Cullinane and his fellow Earth--exiles Andrea, Ahira, Walter and Lou had succeeded beyond their wildest expectations in the years since a wizard's spell hadd cast them into an alternate world where magic and dragons were real. Now Karl was Emperor and his son Jason was of an age to begin learning the realities if war and leadership. And with the aid of dwarves, elves, humans, and one sarcastic dragon, Karl and his friends had freed many from the evil specter of slavery and were pledged to fight till slavery was at an end. But their actions had made them some extremely powerful enemies, chief among whom was Ahrmin of the Slaver's Guild. And for Ahrmin the time of final reckoning had at last arrived. With or without the aid of the Guild, he would draw sword and take blood vengeance on Karl and Jason Cullinane and all they held dear.......

Intrigue Honor Magic Murder Many forces are converging on the capital city, can The Relicant Empire survive the collision? Hibikitsu - the young Emperor roaming the countryside and learning what it means to lead a people by becoming one of them. Now he must once again don the mantle of leadership and apply all that he has learned, or his nation is doomed. Kagiri - the grave robber turned vessel of some of the greatest generals the world has ever seen marches on the capitol to kill the Emperor and take his throne. Now he must wrest control of himself from the ghosts who live within him, or he will be forever lost. Noniki - harnessing a power that vanished so long ago it is now little more than a legend, the charismatic leader of the people has led his force to the capitol to overthrow the Emperor and put power in the hands of the citizens. Now he faces not just his growing magic, but a shift in everything he thought he knew. Shizumi - the guard only ever wanted to do her job and be the best at it. Now, after defending the vacant throne from a coup, she must face the greatest warrior she has ever seen and reveal her deepest secret. Iraku & Ibaru - the twins who gave themselves over to a dark power. Now they see that perhaps what they were promised is not what their new master is delivering, and nothing is as they thought. With all these myriad forces descending upon the palace, how will the Relicant Empire survive the collision? Who will stand atop the pile of bodies and crossed bones?