Two and a half years have passed since Kensington confronted his son Alex in Saint PeterÍs Cathedral, Wellington, New Zealand. Alex has been studying at Victoria University, while the Prime Minister James Connor continues to lead the nation from the Beehive. Rachel Connor has been training to become a Physician, while her husband, John Robertson, remains in the Cathedral with Bishop Mark Blake. Tristan Blake has been watching Alex. Tristan sees the legacy of AlexÍs past: a past Alex seems to be trying to hide. What might become of him? Rau Petera remains on the shores of Oriental Bay, offering good news: but Tristan is watching. The nation has suffered an upheaval, and has settled in a kind of peace _ but Tristan is uneasy. Trouble is brewing overseas; trouble within. Kensington is taking a greater hold. Powers are rising: the world is at risk of war. What fate will beset the nation? What forces, in the midst of the growing darkness, will win?