Bitter and merciless war is coming to the frozen north, and the union army is lacking experience, training, and weapons. In the south the Gurkish are massing to assault the city of Dagoska, defended by Inquisitor Glokta. The city is braced for the defeat and massacre to come, preparations are made to make the Gurkish pay for every inch of land. Threatened from within and without the city, Glokta needs answers, and he needs them soon. And to the east a small band of malefactors travel to the edge of the world to reclaim a device from history - a Seed, hidden for generations - with tremendous destructive potential. A device which could put a end to war, to the army of Eaters in the South, to the invasion of Shanka from the North - but only if it can be found, and only if its power can be controlled.