Albanland. Emerald hills and ice blue lochs, bordered by Nørds raiders and the haughty monarchs of South Angle, each dynasty eager to seize lands weakened by a civil war in which a usurper has risen to seize the cloven throne. Morgance, Faer Princess of the Night. And by her side, the fearsome Ultan Skölhammer, sworn Guardian of the Crown. But Rhoswen, rightful heir to the throne, princess in exile, leads a final uprising from the depths of the forest, an uprising that twists together the lives of the most unlikely companions. A notorious thief accused of a crime she did not commit. A baird apprentice searching for the meaning of life. A pair of brothers who can¿t seem to stay out of trouble. And a gypsy bound to the ancient artifact known only as the Vault of Dreams.