Most everyone thinks Ward of Hurog is a simple-minded fool — and that's just fine by him. But few people know that his foolishness is (very convincigly) feighed. And that it's all that's saved him from death at the hands of his abusive father, whos always seen Ward as a bitter rival for power. When his father dies, Ward becomes the new lord of Hurog… until a nobleman declares that he is too dim-witted to rule. Ward knows he cannot play the fool any longer. To regain his kingdom, he must prove himslef worthy — and quickly. Riding into a war that's heating up on the border, Ward is dure he's on the fast track to glory. But soon his mission takes a deadly serious turn. For he has seen a pile of magical dragon bones hidden deep beneath Hurog Keep. The bones can be dangerous in the wrong hands, and Ward is certain his enemies will stop at nothing to possesss them…

Ward, ruler of Hurog, is striving to restore his lands and people to prosperity, wanting nothing more than a quiet life. But when an old friend, escaping from High King Jakoven's torturers, seeks refuge in his keep, Ward can no longer ignore the growing rebellion against the tyrannical High King. He realizes that he cannot stand aside — he must join with the rebels. However, Jakoven has a secret weapon with which he intends to crush the rebellion: farsonsbane, a magical artifact that has destroyed entire cities. But first, Jakoven needs blood to awaken it. Dragon's blood. The very blood that courses through Ward's veins…