Sent away from the fires of war by the protective First Lord, young Tavi of Calderon joins a newly formed legion under an assumed name. Then the ruthless Kalare does the unthinkable: He unites with the Canim, bestial enemies of the realm whose vast numbers spell certain doom for Alera. When treachery from within destroys the army's command structure, the young Cursor finds himself leading an inexperienced, poorly equipped legion - the only force standing between the Canim horde and the war-torn realm.
