In Western Lodoss, the kingdom of Moss is in the midst of a civil war. Duke Redrick, allied with now Queen Shiris, commands the Daragon Eyes dragon riders and the kingdom will soon be reunified. In Alania, King Kashue's army defeats Duke Raster's army and then lays siege to the capital, Alan. When Raster refuses to surrender Kashue knows that this drawn out siege will tie up his forces away from the war against Marmo. In Valis Spark returns to the group and informs them of Jay. Garrack deduces that Jay commands a Marmo warship meaning that Valis will soon be attacked for the Staff Of Life...