Etrea, queen of Etheria, has proven to Marnal, former Duchess of Saviatha, rival for her throne, that the royal marriage can survive efforts to destroy the nation. But is the same true for Etrea's unborn fifth child, her new Dark-Eyed lady-in-waiting, her favorite horse, or even Marnal's own children? Clearly. Marnal's sanity is deserting her as the war begins. But the only person, besides Marnal herself, who has any idea what is driving her mad has helped her keep a haunting secret for more than twenty years...and he's still not talking.