The Griffin Empire is getting ready for a celebration — the marriage of the young Emperor Nicolai to his sweetheart Isabel. The festivities are interrupted, however, by the emergence of Demons! Like his father twenty years before, Nicolai leads his army to war. Isabel, however, is banished to the safety of the Summer Palace.

But Isabel cannot sit still when she could be helping.

The war appears to be going badly, so she convinces her escorts, Beatrice and Godric, to seek help.

Godric leaves to solicit aid from the powerful mages of the Shining Cities. Beatrice volunteers to seek help from the Elven armies of Irollan. Isabel takes to horseback, scouring the countryside to raise a militia.

But other powers are also at work--older and darker ones that have been plotting for ages…