Landsend Plateau — Eric Knight

The Landsend Plateau is a vicious place where death strikes quickly. It is also the home of the Takare, once the most feared warriors in the old Kaetrian Empire, now a forgotten people who have turned their backs on the world. It is also the home of Shakre, Netra's mother, the sole outsider to live among the Takare. As the book opens, a flaming sphere falls from the sky and crashes on the Plateau. From its remains emerges a massive, alien warrior, an uncertain ally for Shakre and the Takare in the turmoil that is engulfing the Plateau.

For Melekath is nearly free of his prison and his Guardians have begun to seek revenge on the old gods who stood with Xochitl at the Banishment. The Guardians are also raising an army of lost souls and widening the cracks in the world, all in preparation for their Master's return.

Against Melekath is a small, but growing force of Tenders, awakened to their lost power by Lowellin, ancient companion to Xochitl. But the sulbit which give them their powers cut both ways, threatening the Tenders even as they offer salvation.

Meanwhile, Wulf Rome builds his empire and his army for the war that is coming, conquering nearby city-states with the help of the strange axe he brought out of the heart of the fiery Gur al Krin. With him stands Quyloc, slowly discovering his own power while trying not to fall to the demons that plague him.

As the storm grows, Netra makes her way towards the Landsend Plateau, hoping to find her mother there and unaware of the alliance she will soon forge with an alien warrior, an alliance that will either save Atria, or hasten its doom.