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Long recovered from the ravages of the Riftwar,  the land and people of the kingdom of the Isles  thrive. Nicholas, the youngest son of Prince Arutha,  is intelligent and gifted but vastly  inexperienced. In hopes of hardening him, his father sends him  and his irreverent squire, Harry, to live at  Rustic Castle Crydee to learn of life beyond the halls  of privilege. But within weeks of Nicholas and  Harry's arrival, Crydee is viciously attacked by  unknown assailants, resulting in murder, massive  destruction, and the abduction of two young noblewomen.  The raiders have come from a pirate haven and are  no ordinary foe ... but an enemy connected to dark  magical forces that threaten the lands Nicholas  will someday rule -- if he survives.