Tavi is ostensibly serving as a page but secretly training to become a spy. When the first lord falls to a sorcerous attack, Tavi and his closest friends and teachers must conceal the lord's condition lest the realm fall into civil war. In the Calderon Valley, a long--forgotten horror awakens and heads for the heart of Alera, while Tavi's closest relative, the newly appointed Steadholder Isana, faces at least two sets of assassins.

After two years of bitter conflict with the hordes of invading Canim, Tavi of Calderon realizes that a greater peril exists--the terrifying Vord. Now Tavi must find a way to bring Aleran and Cane together as allies.

Legendary man of war and the rightful First Lord of Alera, Gaius Octavian, must save his world from eternal darkness, and stand against the savage Vord in the Calderon Valley.