Darkness Gains sees the Serpent, working with Noctiferus’s other creatures, deal crippling blows to the Alvinorians — in the air, on the ground and in the Bind, while the Umbra crosses the sea to seek allies in support of Zebula’s invasion of Alvinoria. In the meantime, Toras puts new methods to the test, High Prince Aithen begins to feel the crushing weight of the war, and Elyana Lux Baiula forces the hand of a traitor. The Locari, a long time removed from the affairs of the Humans, convene their leaders to discuss their involvement in the war. And unsuspected forces descend on Kynaria, where the queen-consort and her son, young prince Ori, had taken refuge.