The Strategist was framed and thrown into prison. The Grand Chancellor wanted him gone: jealous of his rising fame, and tired of his warnings about an unknown danger in the North. A struggle for the throne followed. The rightful prince won it and freed his mentor.
Now the Chancellor means to take the throne by force. His army of ten thousand besieges the only pass into the royal city. The garrison can hold for three days. The main army returns on the fifth.