Peace has come over the land of the Eluan Empire. The world is ruled by one flag. But when a new land is reached new opportunities are envisioned. The heir to the empire, Heric Caning, is saddled with the weight of the world on his shoulders. His father is sick, and he must take on the responsibilities of Emperor against the wishes of many around him. His cousin, the would-have-been-future-emperor, Nikali Caning, wallows away his days in taverns empowering himself with magic known as arcan. They will journey to the land beyond their map. But what they discover and bring back with them will begin the downfall of the entire Eluan Empire.