Twin brothers Borrial and Vistyral find themselves in conflict. The elder brother, Borrial, who is heir to the throne of Karrondor, has determined to conquer and enslave the known world. His younger twin brother by three minutes, Vistyral, is determined to keep peace in the world. Only Vistyral has the knowledge and capability to thwart Borrial's plans, but his futile hope that his brother will be satisfied ruling the largest kingdom in the world may keep Vistyral from moving against his brother until it is too late for anyone to stop him. Vistyral is in love with Mirtar, who is betrothed to Borrial. But Borrial does not want Mirtar; rather, he desires to marry Lymar, who is the princess of Fulsimter. Before releasing Mirtar from her betrothal, however, Borrial tries to rape Mirtar to leave a scar on her marriage with Vistyral. Every time Vistyral comes to her, she will see and feel Borrial attacking her. Fortunately, Vistyral is able to stop the assault. Mirtar forces Borrial to release her from the betrothal and offer independence to the duchy of Cryarlac, making Vistyral a king in his own right. There are several attempts on Vistyral's life. A series of events kills all of Lymar's family, making her the only living heir. Vistyral marries Mirtar and tells her that in spite of his deep love for her, he will remain publicly aloof to protect her from Borrial, who thinks all Vistyral wants from her is the kingdom of Artermador. Borrial marries shortly after Vistyral, and his father, Lamercal, soon abdicates the throne. Borrial then consolidates Artermador and Fulsimter into one country called Nordlund, giving him the largest army and the largest navy in the world. Having created a network of assassins Borrial sends several of them to kill Mirtar's parents, the king and queen of Artermador; Mirtar and Vistyral, the king and queen of Cryarlac; and the king of Westonisia, whom Borrial has framed for the death of Lymar's brother, the then king of Fulsimter. Vistyral calls a meeting of the council of the kings to ratify the combination of Cryarlac and Artermador into a new country called Surdlund.