In book two of the Fifth Battle Trilogy, Janevra and Mat face a greater threat than ever before. Ravften's Army of the Dead has abandoned Jariran to join Raxsen and his forces. The Phoenix of Death has recruited dozens more shoi to the Warlord's cause. Two assassins have been sent in search of the Pearls of Light, intending to find all of them, while a stranger from Kandang comes bearing an Artifact that will change the way the Dragons and the Warlord view each other.

Ake and Eside Thron, Phoenixes of Water and Fire, are traveling the Northern Kingdom in search of the Artifacts that, if found, will decide who wins the next battle. On their travels a boy joins them who has a unique ability to read hearts.

Lousai and Caya, accompanied by the mysterious Cleovia, traverse through the Warlord's territory in search of a Pearl of Light where they meet three beings who are the last of their kind.

In Calahar, Raxsen discovers an ancient secret deep beneath the streets of the city. Something lurks there and Raxsen must know what it is. If he fails in finding it, his powerful army of Darkness will begin to crumble.

Mat has loosely united the Ile but a dark secret his father had carried for years before his death is finally told and sends Mat down a path he never wished to take.

Janevra has not united the Forgotten Peoples but an odd coincidence brings two of the Forgotten to her. They tell her of the prophecy made years ago, a prophecy that could ruin the careful ties between herself and Mat, a prophecy she must fulfill or doom an entire race.