Countless obstacles have barred Argrave's uncertain path to kingship, most of all his own acceptance, yet now the race is nearing its end. His brother Orion has acted contrary to anyone's expectations in defying his father, yet a kingdom is more than its king alone. Each of the kingdom's dozen vassals have vassals of their own, and Vasquer is on the brink of shattering into countless petty nations as it did in the history Argrave remembers.The stain of bastardry lingers on Argrave's claim, and unless he intends to earn a title without any power, he must act the delicate diplomat, the unbroken commander, and the just ruler all in one. Serious introspection suggests he may be none of the three. But then, who's to say a king has to be himself at all?