The roads of fate are capricious. From the Black Tower, where the irreconcilable enemies Fess and Etlaeu fought a mortal battle, they lead them—now allies by necessity—to the walls of Arkin in the face of a terrible scourge: the onslaught of the Empire of the Claw. There’s no doubt about it: if the Holy City isn’t held, along with it Eviál, then no right or wrong will remain—there will be nothing at all. For now, though, there is a chance. The main thing is that both old and new understand at last they can ПОБЕДИТЬ only by joining forces. Necromancer, executioner, elves of Narn and the Eternal Forest, mages of the Ordos Academy, the Magic Courtyard, Klara Hümme l with friends, Sylvia, and even the mysterious Dint ra—all of them are now soldiers of a single army fighting in the name of life?