The ruling force of an evil priesthood is killing the land. Chosen to undertake 'special worship', the outcast Kyria is imprisoned in a sea cave and left to die. Brought up in the ways of an ancient, banned religion, a miracle and her own iron will save her life. From then on she is exiled to a harsh prison island. Hilarion is dangerous - an Imperial Heir who can see through the lies of the Lords of Light and who must hide his own thoughts. When he learns the ways of the Old Gods, he knows he must find the prophesised Lightbearer, whom the Lords of Light would kill at any cost. But the Old Gods have very real powers and They seek to save the land through the Lightbearer, to open the old temples, bathe the land in true light and save the entire country from evil and death. So when Kyria escapes from prison and Hilarion can no longer avoid the dangers of the Imperial Court, the wheels of fate are set in motion. Cover art by Steve Crisp.