Darkness thickens over the states of the Middle Lands. From the North, the self-styled king Bethod threatens war and the terrible flat-headed creatures of shanka make devastating raids. The dark rulers of the South, endowed with witchcraft power, are just waiting to pounce on their neighbors. And in the heart of the Union, its capital city of Agrionte, treason is ripening with a black ulcer. Who is able to do the incredible, protect the Midlands from the shrinking loop around? The Supreme Magician of the Bayyaz Union calls on the strongest and most courageous to stand up for the motherland. And the first to respond to his call is the legendary warrior Logen Nine-fingered, nicknamed Nine Deaths...