خلاصه کتاب:

در جلد قبلی ویل و اونلین به اسارت اسکاندی ها در آمدند و به عنوان برده فروخته شدند. ویل در هلشام  به گیاه آرام بخش معتاد شد اما آن دو توسط ارک فراری داده می شوند. حالا ویل کم کم دارد به حالت قبلش بر می گردد و در حالی که در فکر برگشت به ارالئون هستند، اونلین توسط افرادی ناشناس به اسارت گرفته میشود اما…

For Will and Evanlyn, freedom has never felt so fleeing.

Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, the Ranger’s apprentice and the princess’s plan to return to Araluen is spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed’s toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand, until old friends make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when they make a horrifying discovery: Skandia’s borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights.

If two kingdoms are to be saved, the unlikeliest of unions must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all?

The battles and drama are nonstop in Book Four of this hugely popular epic.