Upon returning home, Avorne, fourth Prince of Eld Man?, finds an ominous "ink sign" looming above the back of the palace from the Inkstone Mountains. The ebony claw rising from the mountains disturbs Avorne, especially once he learns that a peace treaty he had no knowledge of is to take place that day between the North and South. When the peace treaty efforts go wrong, however, Avorne finds himself in a situation that requires him to overcome...