Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, physical abuse, and gender discrimination.

The Broken Blades series focuses on four kingdoms: Yusan, Khitan, Gaya, and Wei. In the previous book, King Joon of Yusan assembled Mikail, Sora, Aeri, Euyn, Royo, and Tiyung, each of whom possesses useful skills in his desire to gather their world’s sacred relics, which will make him the Dragon Lord and imbue him with godlike powers. At the end of the book, Joon imprisoned Tiyung to pressure the other five into carrying out his next task: stealing the Golden Ring from Queen Quilimar of Khitan.

As the novel begins, Aeri hides in her cabin on the ship because her traveling companions are angry that she hid her status as King Joon’s daughter and her true name: Princess Naerium Baejkin. She is especially upset that Royo, her romantic interest, feels betrayed and is ignoring her. Sora convinces Aeri to come above deck and rallies the group to seek vengeance against Joon. Aeri touches the Sands of Time relic, which she wears secretly on a necklace.