A shadowy organization of mages and pirates known as the Arcane Brotherhood has long held the city of Luskan in their power, but corruption now eats away at their ranks. Seeing this as an opportunity to finally defeat their leader, Arklem Greeth, legendary pirate hunter Captain Deudermont hatches a plot that will free the city of the Brotherhood's iron grip.

Elsewhere, Drizzt and Regis depart for Icewind Dale, where they suspect Wulfgar--having returned his adopted daughter to her biological mother--now lives in isolation. When they cross paths with Captain Deudermont on their journey, the pirate hunter reveals his plans and recruits the duo to fight against the Arcane Brotherhood. But rescuing Luskan from itself proves more difficult--and more violent--than anyone anticipated, leaving all to question if they will destroy the city before they can actually save it.

The Pirate King is the second book in the Transitions trilogy and the twenty-first installment in the Legend of Drizzt series.