Since time immemorial, smoke from seven gigantic Towers has protected this world from the heat of two stars. But now they are falling one after another, and in the Sevenfold Lands war, madness, and fear have arrived. Who destroys the Towers, and what goals does they pursue?
Erik, the son of a Guddar master, flees from the burning Patera, losing his father and home. Ahead are harsh Grey Mountains, hope for revenge, and the inheritance of his house—safely hidden within stone.
Jinlún, a wandering swordsman from Kayan, searches for his teacher in the Sevenfold Lands consumed by chaos. In his blade there is a blood-possessed demon, and beside him is a fox-shapeshifter whose feelings run far deeper than mere loyalty.
Amal, the heir of the great Farékh house, returns home carrying the burden of a failed mission and guilt for the dead. He will have to face betrayal by the dearest person and find out who the mysterious Sowers are.
Is everything lost—or can new-times herbs grow from the ash of the old world?