Makenna is a young Hedgewitch, forced to flee her village the day her mother is murdered for practicing magic. In the wilds of the forest, she forms an unexpected alliance with the mysterious goblins, and together they resolve to fight back against the humans and the cruel Decree of Bright Magic. Humans and goblins share the woods for now.

When fourteen-year-old Arisa, aided by Prince Edoran and Weasel, tries to find the long-lost sword, she faces betrayal of the worst kind.

Sick of the horrors of conquering beings on other planets, Ahvrem will end his service as a soldier and save his sister from an unhappy marriage if he can discover who is behind a rumored plot to assassinate the Emperor.

Although the Hrum believe their war against Farsala is nearly over, Soraya has strategic information that will help if she can reach Jiaan and Kavi and their separate resistance movements, but discord and Time's Wheel seem destined to keep them apart.

Farsalans, including Lady Soraya and her half-brother, Jiaan, Kavi, and others, work relentlessly and often secretly in their shared strategies regarding the ultimate defeat of the Hrum.

Fifteen-year-old Jeriah asks the mischievous goblins for help with opening the gate to the Otherworld, where his brother, Tobin, is being held, and becomes caught in a web of political intrigue.

Fifteen-year-old Prince Ederan and fourteen-year-olds Arisa and Weasel finally realize the true meaning and value of the symbols of power in Deorthas when the Falcon demands the sword and shield in exchange for Weasel's life.