Book One, "Awakenings," began a sweeping tale of heroes and villains, wizards and Dark sorcerers, mythical races and creatures, honor and treachery, passion and sadistic lust, and war and conquest. Book Two, "The Shining Stone," picks up the tale as Emperor Ra&kgrave;koth, the Dark sorcerer, launches his armada and embarks on his ruthless invasion of Balleterria with fifty thousand warriors, including the brutal Black Legion, and the eerie, soulless Dread Riders, intent on fulfilling his despotic destiny to crush all opposition beneath his heel and establish his Empire in the West. Across the Luminous Sea, Killian, the Avatar prince and Ellianthia, the Elfin princess forge an uneasy peace and, together with other human and Elfin companions-a Blademaster, a master bard, a healer, a battle mage and a young lord-undertake a difficult and dangerous quest to find an ancient talisman hidden in the mysterious Dwarven mines far to the west. They will encounter great hardship and danger, and some may not survive their race against time to find a lost mage. Meanwhile, the fragile Alliance of Calderians and Forest folk struggles to overcome hatred and distrust, and unite against the invader, seeking more aid from old allies and sworn enemies, while Mi&kgrave;kel teaches a new magic and traitors lurk within their midst, waiting to strike.