A religious war looms over the world, and while the Church of God awaits the counterattack of the rebellious Church of Charis, King Cayleb of Charis seeks to strengthen his forces by gaining allies, but Merlin, his top advisor and friend, might be the key to all that King Cayleb needs.

Cayleb Ahrmahk's Charisian Empire is threatened by the Group of Four, a powerful clique that controls most of Safehold and has declared war on Cayleb's empire, forcing Cayleb to turn to the mystic warrior-monk Merlin Athrawes for aid.

When the Republic of Siddermark is threatened by wars triggered by the Charis kingdom's declaration of independence from the Church of God Awaiting, Vicar Clytahn, King Cayleb, Queen Sharleyan and Merlin Arthawes struggle to prevent widespread starvationwhile protecting their people from violent attacks.

Centuries ago, the human race fought its first great war against an alien race, and lost. A tiny population of human beings fled to distant Safehold. Centuries later, their descendants have forgotten their history; for them, life has been an eternal Middle Ages, ruled by the Church of God Awaiting, whose secret purpose is to prevent the re-emergence of industrial civilization. But not all of Safehold's founders were on board with this plan. Those...

Those on the side of progressing humanity through advanced technology have finally triumphed over their oppressors.The unholy war between the small but mighty island realm of Charis and the radical, luddite Church of God's Awaiting has finally come to an end. However, even though a provisional veil of peace has fallen over human colonies, many secrets of Safehold's past still remain unearthed. With new alliances forged and old regimes fractured, Merlin--the...