After the end of the Iron War, everyone except Draco was at peace. The war had devastated them, both in terms of their national pride, as well as the economy and loss of life. One day, King Ektitro died, officially from food poisoning, and all but one of his siblings mysteriously disappeared. His remaining brother seized power and declared that the Kingdom of Draco was now the Empire of Cinnis. He then spent a few years building up their army, breaking a treaty in the process, and then invaded the neighboring countries of Vix and Powatina, before bringing the war to where the whole conflict began: Lepus and Syl, now the Lepusian-Sylish Commonwealth. After seventeen years, his army is sieging the capital of Alder and after the loss of its king and one of its princesses, it seems ready to surrender.
Two sisters see the devastation of the Commonwealth and want to help, but do not know how.
Two Vixic siblings who have known nothing but Cinnisan rule hunger for freedom, but patriotism is not their only reason for rebellion.
A private in the Cinnisan army thought that the military would be an escape, but he has learned that he simply went from one bad situation to another, and questions if he is really on the right side.
A Lepusian girl is running. Her family and home are gone and she lives in constant fear that someone will learn the truth about her. She meets the five at a dark time, looking for safety, but as long as the Emperor reigns, safety is impossible for her.