The many mysteries of the recent past begin to unfold, but the Sorcerer warns his audience that he will present truths that they may be unprepared to hear: twin princess daughters knew that they would at last know the identity of the treacherous murderer of their father, one of the two prior kings of Artesia; a trusted Kings' Advisor wondered how the kingdom that he loved had spiraled into such a state of disorder in the three short years he had been gone as Selector of the new Kings; a storied Quartermaine and now Kings' Captain wanted to know how Goblins penetrated the kingdom's defenses, killed his best friend, and brought down the glory of the land's premier castle; an Elfin crown prince mistakenly thought that the warning was intended for the others in the room; two reunited childhood friends, once torn apart by a mysterious long-past episode, were about to have the old wound reopened wider and deeper than the original scared gash; and two young kings sat in awe as they faced the prodigious truth of the reign they had recently inherited. This third installment of the Artesian Serial provides greater understanding of the relationships between the two principle allies of the region, the Elves and Artesia, as well as the downfall of the prior kings.

Magic coursing through her veins, the whispers of ghosts in her ears, an army at her back; the war to save the Middle Kingdoms from the Thessid-Golan Empire continues, as Artesia, self-proclaimed Queen of Dara Dess, confronts the temptations, limits, and consequences of power. Contains all six issues of the Artesia Afire miniseries, a short story from Artesia Annual #2, and the 'Into the Dark' story from Dork Tower #16 - 18, printed in color. Silver Award Winner for ForeWord Magazine's Best Graphic Novel of 2004.

The drums and horns of war still sound through the Middle Kingdoms, though the invading Empire of Thessid-Gola has been dealt a setback. The powers at play -- the High King of Therapoli, his nobles and officers, the lurking Isliklid King, his warrior-servants, and the Sultan, commander of the Empire's armies -- are all maneuvering for advantage, setting snares and traps for each other, with prisoners of war now hostages held in the balance. And through this den of vipers marches Artesia, self-proclaimed Queen of Dara Dess, with magic coursing through her veins, the whispers of ghosts in her ears, and an army at her back as she confronts the temptations, limits and consequences of power.

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