The tug of history, often very ancient history, is felt throughout these works. A large amount of information about the past is disclosed in the narrative, but for the purposes of these extracts a reader needs to know that long before the land was Arbhal it was Owan, and the Owanil, a gifted, energetic, but often arrogant people conquered and then lost a vast empire on both sides of Arnan, the inland sea. After some centuries of obscurity, during which their island-based priesthood, the Atarlum, was essential to the preservation of the Owani culture and language, the Owanil, through a series...

At the start of Book V and VI, the empire of Kargusai is seven years old. In search of lands to conquer, Kamin-Tolagh acquires the rich lands of the Hrin. Here he learns the source of gold. A campaign immediately follows which leads to unexpected consequences, and possibly war with Arbhal.