When the High Magister of Kardith Bath, Menzies Mage, refuses to pass the title to his son, Trastan, the young man is sent to the deserts of the Kadan to train as a soldier. He proves to be a good one but soon falls into a dangerous and forbidden love with the daughter of the Madi. Meanwhile a Master Assassin, Caltris, finds himself saving someone for a change, an unlikely event that will cross his stars with those of Trastan, leading to world shattering events neither could have foreseen, and with which neither is equipped to deal.