It has been a year since Derick's brother Cael attempted to kill him and Derick became king. While Derick is certain his brother is merely biding his time, nothing has been seen of Cael since and a tense peace reigns over the Kingdom of Mercagea. When Royce, who had supposedly quit smuggling and cut ties with the rebels, is nearly murdered, Derick and Rory discover he is secretly back to his old ways, prompting Royce to run away and return to the...