<DIV><DIV><DIV>A lifelong curse of enmity between two half-brothers that has so far woven three bitter conflicts and uncounted deadly intrigues. It is a time of political upheavel, fanaticism, and rampaging armies. Distrust of sorcery has set off a purge of the talented mageborn—none reviled more than Arithon, Master of Shadow. Through clever manipulation of events at the hands of his halfbrother Lysaer, Lord of Light, Arithon's very name has become anathema. Now the volatile hatreds that spearheaded the campaign against Shadow have overtaken all reason. Those that still stand in Arithon's desperate defense are downtrodden, in retreat and close to annihilation.</DIV></DIV></DIV>