The city of Verlinden lies at the heart of the northern trade routes, controlling the flow of gems, precious metals and textiles to the cities of the south. But its vital position also places it directly on the main invasion route of the orcs, who are always looking to take the city by force and put an end to human incursions into their ancestral lands. Following their devastating defeat decades ago, the orcs have disappeared -- some say for good. The frontier patrols are lax, the city defenses are crumbling and the funding for troops has been slashed, leaving a few hardy soldiers to maintain order. When rumors of an orc army begin to circulate, Brenna Wingstrom, a captain in the city's forces, urges the city leaders to take action to rebuild the defenses. But with an election looming and Brenna's family ties to the city's greatest traitor, the calls go unheeded. As she rushes to build support, her family becomes embroiled in a political plot that could hand victory to the orcs and destroy them all, but to win in a city like Verlinden, one must make friends from enemies and form alliances in the least likely of places. Old heroes. Old enemies. New friends. New alliances. All must rally to The Wall.