Milcas, a young Roegan slave boy, dreams of a day when his race will be free.   After finding a mysterious key, Milcas sets forth a series of events that spark a rebellion. The politics in Verden  change as Humans, Elves, and Dwarves decide on whether they will confront the Roegan threat or try to make peace with the rebels.  Leaders will be tested, alliances will be made and broken, and the fate of an entire continent will rest in the hands of a young Prince who is pure in heart but lives in the wide shadow of his father.  Will anyone be able to stop the warpath of the Roegan rebellion, or will their Black Banner fly high over all of Verden?