Jesca, reluctant Queen of the Second Empire of Romitu, holds the throne posthumously bequeathed to her. Her predecessor, the brilliant and charismatic general who refounded the Empire strongly recommended five year reigns, passed on to non-blood successors. In the five years Jesca has held it, the resurgent Empire has bogged down in partisan conflicts with her opponents doggedly holding out against all odds and common sense. Romitu's mastery of vastly powerful ancient magic has brought many solutions, but also many problems. Her mages debate the ethical questions on how to use it, their gods consider it blasphemous rivalry, and the enigmatic Grey Elves claim it holds the key to either the world's destruction or salvation. None of Jesca's fiercely loyal Generals will accept the throne from her, and she must find the strength within herself to carry on and find the path to peace between her people, her gods, and her conscience.