But something bad happens and Tadrith is forced out of the sky and plummets to the ground with SilverBlade. So finally, after rigorous training, they are both given their first assignments- a remote guard post in wild, unexplored territory. They wanted to prove themselves and make their own worths known. They are both sick of growing up in the tales of the Fathers' heroisms. Among these are SilverBlade, AmberDrakes daughter, and Tadrith, Skan's son. White Gryphon started up an elite guard made of humans and non-humans to protect their city These became known as the Silver Gryphons. The people of White Gryphon have been in Alliance with the Haighlei Empire for 12 years now, but that does not mean that they have not prepared themselves for other enemies. Skandrannon and AmberDrake are both getting older and have settled into comfortable lives. It is left up to Darkwind to take up his dormant powers and train Elspeth in becoming the First Herald-Mag since Vanyel Ashkevron's time. During this book, Elspeth's and Darkwind's paths meet and they decide they need to help eachother, for a dark and mysterious mage is trying to destroy the k'Sheyna Vale. Darkwind's father has changed and his mother was killed, so he vowed not to be a mage anymore. These are troubled times for his clas an well because their HeartStone went rogue, killing half the mages holding a Gate open and destroying the Gate, leaving half the clan somewhere out beyond their reach. We are introduced to another main character, Darkwind k'Sheyna who is a Tayledras and a Mage. Elspeth and Skif set off to go to Kethry and Tarma's Mage schools that are in Tale'sedrin. She becomes bound to Kerowyn's Sword Need and through Elspeth, the Sword 'awakens.' and tells her story. Elspeth, Herald and Heir to the throne of Valdemar, must take up the task and go to seek outside help. But now, magic is slowly coming back and Ancar, an evil bloodpath-mage from Hardorn knows it. A mage couldn't even go into Valdemar before he was driven out because of the unseen 'eyes' watching him or her.

Since Herald Vanyel's time, all forms of magic, except for Mind magic, ceased to exsist in Valdemar's borders.

Take a Thief by Mercedes Lackey