Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm's most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a gift with unlimited potential for greatness - and for attracting trouble. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the "left-over prince" with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. As Arram's education continues, he discovers a disturbing dark side of the Carthaki Empire - one that not even his powerful masters at the university can protect him from. And as Ozorne gets closer to the thrones and Varice gets closer to Arram's heart, Arram realizes that one day soon he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.