<p>Bence Brechenhad is the sole survivor of the infamous<br />
Aeonian army. His fear of Deranian justice drives him<br />
to flee the country, abandoning his only companion,<br />
Queen Isabel, without so much as a good-bye. Bence<br />
leaves with Isabel&rsquo;s ring and a black pearl with one<br />
goal in mind: to find a new home and a fresh start.</p><p>Throughout his adventures over rough seas and<br />
maze-like woods, the sins of his past lurk around<br />
every corner. When Bence reaches the country of<br />
Irelle, he rescues a baby Dunya, jeopardizing his<br />
chances of acceptance into their clan.</p><p>Meanwhile, Isabel tries to fulfill her new role as<br />
queen. She is fully invested in rebuilding her<br />
kingdom, and funds her people&#39;s short-lived peace<br />
until a man she thought was dead and a banished<br />
Healer appear on her steps.</p><p>Their arrival seems to prompt a string of murders<br />
cascading through Deran. Each victim is branded<br />
with the Aeonian mark, and Isabel&rsquo;s kingdom is<br />
inevitably sucked back into a vortex of violence<br />
and turmoil.</p><p>The winds whisper to Bence, calling him back to<br />
Deran. Will he have the courage to confront his<br />
past and fight alongside Isabel once more?</p>