Mahinder, the son of King Ashok and the appointed ruler of The Kingdom of Jade after its conquest ten years ago, finds himself in a desperate struggle with a rebellion. Everything he has tried, from a royal curfew, to replacing and dismantling his royal council, has failed. Then one day, he receives a visitor. Daniel Blackfinger of the royal clan Blackfinger, a rtherner visitting from The Highlordship of Topaz, meets with him to discuss a possible alliance, and suggests inviting the rebels to a tournament where in the winner receives The Kingdom of Jade as their prize. The tournament attracts the attention of the rebels, people within Mahinder's royal guard, and fighters from other lands, all of whom wantthing more than to claim the prize for themselves. Who will win this brutal tournament, and be seated upon the throne?