Kalen Gerard endures three brutal winters battling monsters along the empire's desolate northern boundary, surviving fatal wounds to honor his wedding pledge. Upon reaching his family stronghold, he discovers an insufferable usurper occupying his great hall. To his utter disbelief, his betrothed stands beside the intruder, flaunting a pregnancy and demanding Kalen surrender his birthright to avoid execution.
Treating him like a disgraced vagrant, the corrupt regional nobility commands Kalen to serve as their docile foster parent. They remain utterly unaware that Kalen commanded the imperial dragon legions and eliminated the shadow beast threatening their civilization. Summoning his slumbering war mount, the returned hero begins stripping away their stolen riches and reclaiming his throne.
