The dragon war has breached the barrier. The forces of the Liberated Land are near to breaking. Without a heavy and rapid shift in the Assembly's strategy, a dragon invasion will be unstoppable.

Connor and Kara have kept the full knowledge of the Red Dagger's location secret for almost a year. A chance to destroy Heleyor and end the war is within the Lightraider Order's grasp. They must now reveal what they know and call for action.

With time running out, Connor, Teegan, and Aaron attempt to recover the dagger, and Kara helps the Airguard train a new corps of soldiers--windfighters--in their own bid to change the war's tide. Meanwhile, Lee and Zel search for Heleyor's army of tortured Aladoth. This force, thousands strong, has vanished. They're heading for a hidden portal, and may emerge at the heart of Keledev at any moment.

Every path that lies before the cadets seems a great risk. The slightest misstep may cost them their lives, their loved ones, and their homeland. But to do nothing means certain failure. To succeed, they must charge ahead into dark uncertainty and trust the Rescuer.