Javik returns from the mountain fortress when the passes clear of snow and finds a plague has struck his village. Polla is a victim of that plague, but his son, Garen, survives. Goldar's wife also falls to the disease, and he and Dana decide to marry after a suitable period of mourning.
Javik has no idea what's happened to Allana. He's brooding over his loss when Margan tells him of Allana being forced to marry a bandit king in a country far away. Javik gathers his friends in a quest to free her, and they set off for the bandit king's territory. They gather other allies along the way. The group manages to free Allana, and they set off for Gorgos. The island is only a shell of its former self, but Allana is determined to bring back its glory.
Allana uses her wiles to gain the position of governor of Gorgos under the Count ruling the province the island is now a part of. She begins to rebuild the royal palace and restore the economy with the help of money from the Argani, a race of money lenders. Her fortunes change when the cache of an old smuggler is discovered containing gold and jewels. Barinosh rebuilds Gorgos' navy, and Javik's friends develop a cannon suitable for mounting on a ship. Gorgos becomes a sea power second to none.
War brings further riches to Gorgos, allowing it to gain independence. Allana is crowned queen and marries Javik.