Duke Kordas Valdemar, the ruler of a small, bucolic duchy within the Eastern Empire, formulates a plan to allow him and his people to flee from the Empire's militant and tyrannical leaders after a mage discovers a way to place a Gate so far from the Empire that the Emperor cannot follow or find them.

Herald Mags, the King of Valdemar's Herald Spy, has been developing a network of young informants who operate on the streets and also in the halls and kitchens of the wealthy and highborn. His wife Amily is King's Own Herald and finds it useful to be underestimated for there are dark things stirring in the shadows of Haven. Someone has discovered many secrets of the women of the Court and the Collegia and is using those secrets to terrorize and bully...

Spirit, Burke, Muirin, Loch, and Addie, desperate to stop the Shadow Knights from turning the students of Oakhurst Academy into soldiers wielding both weapons and magic, send Muirin to infiltrate the group but soon Spirit is questioning who can--and cannot--be trusted.

Acting as the "son" her father never had, Gwenhwyfar, when called upon to serve another purpose by the Ladies of the Well, bows to circumstances to become Arthur's queen--only to find herself facing temptation and treachery, intrigue and betrayal, but also love and redemption.

Kiron and his friends, established in a desert cliff dwelling seemingly made for dragons, must not only bring order to the new society, but be on guard against Magi who might try to achieve conquest surreptitiously after failing to win with violence.

"A teenage girl leaves home to join the legendary Hunters, who protect the people from the terrifying monsters that have overrun their world"--