Chaol Estfal, captain of the royal guard of Adarlan and closest friend of Celaena Sardothien, is seriously injured in a battle with demons who have captured the kingdom's capital and destroyed the glass castle. The only thing that can help him is a journey to distant Attica, the capital of a powerful empire, where skilled healers capable of performing miracles reside in a high tower. Chaol also has another task: in these difficult times, convince the ruler of the Southern Continent to join him in an alliance against the demons and support his neighbors. Otherwise, darkness will fall not only on Erilea but will engulf all lands and continents.