A dark threat grows, a man prepares for war.

Evan Hornblood has been confronted by his past and lived to tell of it, but he finds that the burden he takes up is heavier than he anticipated. Now the weight of dozens of lives hangs in the balanced, dependent on him for survival, and possibly thousands more. His closest adviser gone, his dearest friend and mentor dead, he alone must lead. But this burden comes with a price, is it one that he can pay?

Sam Freeman hides from his past, working to atone for the sins of his youth. Once again he finds himself drawn to the sword, when his heart aches to build, but with a glimmer of hope and the hint of romance keep him going.

With a storm brewing on the horizon the defenders of Hornblood Castle must band together and find the will to survived. However, dangers and dark forces want to claim more than their lands. They want to claim their lives.