All-new adventure from the national best-selling of the Sword series! The land of Sancorra has been conquered by the brutal Hecari, leaving thousands homeless and in fear for their lives. Audrun and her husband Davyd have four children with another due when their farm is burned. Consulting diviners, they learn that their new child must be born in Atalanda province-a peaceful land where Audrun has family. But to get there, they will have to travel close to the sinister woodlands of Alisanos, where darkness awaits to claim those unlucky enough to be chosen. Joining a karavan for safety, the family moves ever closer to the dangerous, mystical forest. And, as they are all about to discover, Alisanos is moving ever closer to them.