Emperor Mapid?r? was the first to unite the island kingdoms of Dara under a single banner. But now Mapid?r? is on his deathbed, his people are exhausted by his vast, conscriptive engineering projects and his counselors conspire only for their own gain. Even the gods themsleves are restless. A wily, charismatic bandit, and the vengeance-sworn son of a deposed duke cross paths as they each lead their own rebellion against the Emperor's brutal regime. Together, they will journey to the heart of the Empire, witnessing the clash of armies, fleets of silk-draped airships, magical books and shapes