The Lazuli saga moves on a generation. Arvad's son Ardan has become a trader, a Merchant Venturer with his own ship. He decides to travel further North than other traders have done before him. But, as he moves North a race form the far North are moving South, attacking, ransacking and destroying cities as they go. He fights a battle against some of their ships and takes one of their leaders as prisoner. But that does not stop the onward progress of the barbarian tribe. Soon they have taken some of the closest cities and allies of Albia. The barbarians target id Albia itself and its wealth and riches. The Brotherhood is far away and it is up to Borkli to decide upon Albia's future.