SALUTE THE DARK

The vampiric sorcerer Uctebri has at last got his hands on the Shadow Boxand can finally begin his dark ritual - a ritual that the Wasp-kindenEmperor believes will grant him immortality - but Uctebri has his ownplans both for the Emperor and the Empire. The massed Wasp armies are onthe march, and the spymaster Stenwold must see which of his allies willstand now that the war has finally arrived. This time the Empire will notstop until a black and gold flag waves over Stenwold's own home city ofCollegium. Tisamon the Weaponsmaster is faced with a terrible choice: apath that could lead him to abandon his friends and his daughter, to facedegradation and loss, but that might possibly bring him before the WaspEmperor with a blade in his hand - but is he being driven by Mantis-kindenhonour, or manipulated by something more sinister?