Halfway home, they discover they're too late. The war is over, and Asdanund is now under Nuhysean rule. A retired Asdanundish admiral recruits Silver Dolphin to carry a raiding party to Asdanund. He asks Raltarn to join the party, as he's the only magician they have. Raltarn agrees, hoping to be reunited with Shanu. But what hope does a man with no military experience have in a country that's now overrun with dragons?