The Dark sorcerer, Rak"koth, invades Balleterria, bringing death and destruction to the land as he unleashes his vast Imperial armies of ruthless killers and vicious war beasts upon the brave but greatly outnumbered Alliance of human and Elfin defenders. Only they stand between him and certain doom for their peoples as he pursues his malevolent dream of bloody conquest. Meanwhile, Killian, Ellianthia and their intrepid companions continue their long, perilous quest for the mysterious lost mage, leaving the Plains people behind and following the shining stone ever southward into the ominous black Glass Mountains. Great danger, ferocious beasts, mythical creatures and startling surprises await them as they search for what lies beyond the enigmatic door above the clouds, knowing that every day’s delay means that more of their countrymen will suffer and die. Battered by the enemy’s relentless assault, the Alliance forces led by Gavan, Rillandariel and Mik"kel struggle to survive epic battles fought with deadly steel and arcane magic-and a treacherous assassin in their own ranks-desperately hoping to endure long enough for Killian to return with the only weapon that can defeat the evil wizard and save them from annihilation.