Far from the shores of Aladria, Commander Orron Abhaz must lead a train of refugees through the sacred sands of the Red Desert. But the glistening dunes aren't called Death's Ashes for nothing. Facing starvation and thirst, and with the fate of seven thousand in the balance, Orron must make a heart-breaking compromise.
In the north, the Cyngellian Seventh Army led by High Hilt Rocaran marches on the city of Brazar, seeking to gain control over the trade routes. Facing the invasion, Ahb shar Ahn, the capital of the Red Desert, prepares for war. But without Orron Abhaz in command, betrayal and deceit terrorise the streets. The sea lies restless, its horizon haunted. Fearing for his life, Ranok Hal, the city's Surd, wants answers before it is too late.
North of Ahb shar Ahn, the Watans discover that the lack of water is far from their only concern. Soon they are forced to leave their homes in the Skull Rock Mountains. A hidden force wields the Ashes with a ruthless hand. The sands have awoken, and somewhere, a deadly race for the desert's heart has commenced - one carefully watched by the gods.
In the Land of Fire, a queen awakes in the aftermath of a fatal confrontation. Chained and broken, and with Aladria a world away, she must gather enough strength to rise against her captors. But the enslaved Nightseers conspire to break an ancient oath. Time is running out, and with the last grains of sand, the promise of a darkening tide...
Far from the shores of Aladria, Commander Orron Abhaz must lead a train of refugees through the sacred sands of the Red Desert. But the glistening dunes aren't called Death's Ashes for nothing. Facing starvation and thirst, and with the fate of seven thousand in the balance, Orron must make a heart-breaking compromise.
In the north, the Cyngellian Seventh Army led by High Hilt Rocaran marches on the city of Brazar, seeking to gain control over the trade routes. Facing the invasion, Ahb shar Ahn, the capital of the Red Desert, prepares for war. But without Orron Abhaz in command, betrayal and deceit terrorise the streets. The sea lies restless, its horizon haunted. Fearing for his life, Ranok Hal, the city's Surd, wants answers before it is too late.
North of Ahb shar Ahn, the Watans discover that the lack of water is far from their only concern. Soon they are forced to leave their homes in the Skull Rock Mountains. A hidden force wields the Ashes with a ruthless hand. The sands have awoken, and somewhere, a deadly race for the desert's heart has commenced - one carefully watched by the gods.
In the Land of Fire, a queen awakes in the aftermath of a fatal confrontation. Chained and broken, and with Aladria a world away, she must gather enough strength to rise against her captors. But the enslaved Nightseers conspire to break an ancient oath. Time is running out, and with the last grains of sand, the promise of a darkening tide...
