The Fairleafs are a humble family on the rise, and its senior members showcase their ambition by formulating a daring plan to get the attention of Alepion's royalty. Trone and Eldrian Fairleaf are two young brothers who play at war but who are suddenly thrust into their parents' game of high stakes and fatal mistakes; theirs is the task of befriending the two Daughters of Alepion. But while the brothers pursue the young sisters, other plots have hatched in the night, and the Old Way are crafty, and won't let the Fairleaf children come between them and getting their hands on the Daughters of Alepion.